Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 537

By now, Mila had lost all interest in small talk. She exchanged a few polite words with the principal, firmly declined his offer to escort her, and made her own way out.

...

She stepped out of the academic building.

It was the end of class, and the playground nearby was swarming with children. Teachers stood at the edges, keeping a watchful eye on their students. The air was thick with laughter, shouts, and the sheer, deafening volume of kids at play. It was less a cheerful background and more a wall of noise.

Mila quickened her pace.

"Hey, you're Adrian's mom, right? Where is that guy?" She was almost past the playground when a voice called out behind her, and someone tugged at the hem of her coat.

She turned around.

A boy she recognized stood there, glaring up at her—a face she knew all too well. It was Parker McKenna, the kid from the McKenna family who'd once gotten into a fistfight with Adrian and hurled insults that could rival a sailor's.

Still, he was just a child. Mila saw no reason to hold a grudge. She replied calmly, "He's resting at home. He won't be coming to school for a while."

"Why?" Parker blurted out, then added, "Is it because of Julian?"

Mila froze.

She hadn't expected even this kid to know.

the playground? I told you, you're only allowed to play inside!" A teacher spotted them from across the field and hurried over. She gave Mila an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Mrs.

big fundraising gala as the board chair, and Adrian was, well, infamous for his antics. With everything going on lately, the staff were especially

worried Parker might say

the teacher was here, she gave a polite nod and was about to leave, when Parker suddenly

do something like

Mila turned, surprised.

and took a few steps forward, chin raised defiantly. "Adrian wouldn't do something like that. If he's mad, he'll just

Mila was speechless.

son, but somehow

Still, it was well-meant.

out and ruffled Parker's hair, her voice softer.

her hand

it—she let out a silent

impossible to figure

sorry, Mrs. Sutherland..." The teacher grabbed Parker, who was

fine. I shouldn't have touched

fought so much-wasn't just the insults; they both had hair-trigger tempers. How

hen

caught up to her, grabbing her sleeve. "Hey, is he

mom. He hit me first-I only called him names! He's lying,

still nursing a grudge about their

hadn't listened to his side of the story either, and he'd been