Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 563

The boy's dislike for him was instinctive, almost primal.

With Adrian, things were always black or white: either they didn't talk at all, or every word was charged with intensity. There was never a middle ground.

Still, Forrest consoled himself—at least the kid was smart.

"You know where your mother's been going every day, don't you?" Forrest tossed a used napkin into the trash, trying to ignore the sticky residue clinging to his fingers as he sat down across from Adrian.

Adrian didn't reply, but he didn't tell Forrest to leave, either.

Of course he knew.

The very first night his mom came home, he'd noticed it-the faint, sterile scent of rubbing alcohol and hospital-grade antiseptic clinging to her. Every evening since, that smell had followed her inside.

And as for who she was visiting at the hospital-he knew better than anyone.

He wanted to ask, but he never did.

Forrest didn't need an answer; just reading the boy's face was enough. He continued, "You're a smart kid. I think we can keep this conversation simple, can't we?"

Adrian gritted his teeth, silent.

"To be honest, I don't really like you. But I don't hate you, either." Forrest smiled, his tone easy, almost casual. "You probably don't know what your father once did to me. You're almost a carbon copy of him. The fact that I don't hate you is more than generous."

He kept a polite smile on his lips. "But that's not the point. I love your mother. And because of that, I'll love you too—even more than a real father might."

Adrian sneered. "You think you can treat me badly and get away with it?"

Forrest chuckled. "Not in a million years."

"But Adrian, you must have figured it out by now-your mother's decisions aren't so easy to sway anymore. When she makes up her mind, do you really want to keep fighting her, making everyone miserable in the process?"

That trip to England had put everything into perspective.

If there was anyone left in this world who could truly influence Mila's decisions, seal them beyond doubt, it was Jade. Even Adrian couldn't compare-Jade's place in Mila's heart was that important.

Even this engagement party-

about cutting ties with the Montgomery family. It was also about letting Jade finally relax,

to be

that choosing to go abroad with Mila to meet Jade had been

had never been that opposed to him; as long as Jade gave even the slightest nod, everything

Adrian's opinion-

him, it was a bonus. If not, well, it wouldn't derail things, but it would certainly disappoint Mila—and Forrest couldn't let

didn't want Mila worrying

be happy, to

Not regret it.

would be a

at the man

He wasn't stupid.

knew Forrest wasn't

he still

up and walked to the door, gripping the

tell my mom everything you

"Go ahead."

Forrest stayed

where he was, only

Pet

up as Adrian pulled the door open. "Adrian, you know my secrets, and I know yours. You don't want to accept me as family? Fine. But who says we can't be friends? It's just an engagement, after all. Isn't it better to have one more person on your side? Why not give

paused, hesitating

pressed on,

chose me. If the

about

do you really want to

be the happiest time

her life?"

made her

want to

grip tightened on the doorknob. After a long moment, he

the most important person in her

"Of course you are."

warmly. "You're her son-nothing in this world