Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

"Useless! You can't even keep an eye on a child-what good are you? You've always been like this, dragging me down since you were little..."

As expected, Nathaniel Pembroke was getting an earful.

Maybe it was just his imagination, but tonight Sophia Pembroke seemed especially irritable. She latched onto Nathaniel and didn't let up, scolding him about everything from his childhood mistakes, all the way to his failure tonight to watch the kids.

Not a moment's peace the whole evening.

He didn't dare ask how things were going at the hospital. Judging by Sophia's fury, it clearly hadn't gone well.

And he didn't dare hang up either.

Meanwhile―

Mila Sutherland was handling something important, so Forrest Whitmore didn't linger. They parted ways, and he slid into the car that had come for him. On the drive, his phone lit up with a call from Giselle Harvey.

He knew exactly why she was reaching out.

He answered without hesitation.

"Mr. Whitmore, should I congratulate you in advance? Looks like there's good news coming your way," Giselle's cheerful voice chimed through the phone.

"If things are going so well already, aren't you worried I might change my mind?" Forrest replied bluntly, cutting straight to her intention.

Giselle fell instantly silent.

She wasn't surprised by Forrest's directness-and truthfully, she was worried. She'd never expected Mila and Forrest to get so close so quickly. They were already looking after each other's kids? If things kept moving at this pace, Mila would soon be whispering in Forrest's ear at night. If Mila decided to throw a wrench in the works, what would happen to the project?

At least until Lysander Montgomery returned, the project she'd set up still needed Forrest's reputation to keep the research team steady.

afford to

an instant. She drew a deep breath, calmed herself, and replied with a laugh, "Why would I worry? I asked for your help because I trust your professionalism—and your integrity when it comes to contracts. Honestly, if you two are getting married soon, I can claim a little credit for that, can't I? I'll have to reserve a table at your wedding-and you

both a feeler

so Mila wouldn't mess up

caught between a rock and

Forrest replied, sounding as if he hadn't picked up on her probing. "Her son-he's not exactly easy to get

a sigh of

project was safe for now. She could finally relax, her tone lightening, "Adrian Montgomery? I know that boy well.

Forrest's voice was unreadable. "Strange. From what I saw

it seems like he can't stand

66

well. You're new to

leave it to

bother challenging her obvious sugar-coating. He simply smiled and let

done,

He could tolerate plenty.

working with Giselle had been more than

ambitious, and in some ways, surprisingly

though, were

she ever

twitched in a silent, private smirk. Not his

house, Mila took Adrian home. But she didn't head for

home she shared with Jade in Kingsford-the place she'd stayed most

but even though it was late, he was bursting with energy, darting all

once Mila dragged him into the

let him bathe himself, promising a bedtime story and to sleep beside him. Only then did she finally go wash