I watch her move around the kitchen like she belongs there with him. The same way she used to move around our kitchen, making me coffee before work, humming under her breath.


    She never hums anymore when I’m around.


    Her words, to settle our divorce before co–parenting, keep ringing in my ears. Does she really not love me anymore?


    Is she willing to raise our daughter in a broken family, just to be with that guy?


    The pancakes smell incredible. I want to try some. It’s been years since I had her <i>cooking</i>, and the craving leaves me staring, nearly ring, at Dorian’s te.


    But now, Scarlett barely gives me attention, and I know better than to act on impulse.


    She has a way of making everything better, warmer, just by existing in a space. I used to take that for granted.


    I used to take her for granted. And only now am I realizing how much I stand to lose.


    “These look amazing,” Dorian says as she sets a te in front of him. “You’re spoiling me.”


    Bastard. He must’ve said that out loud for me to hear. I grit my teeth, my heart twisting with pain, my eyes fixed on Scarlett, willing her to look at me, to give me just one look that’ll show


    she still cares about me. <fn5e82> This update is avable on find[?]ovel</fn5e82>


    She doesn’t.


    Instead, sheughs–actuallyughs–at what Dorian says, and the sound hits me like a punch to the gut. When’s thest time I made herugh? When’s thest time she looked at me with anything other than wariness or pain?


    “Mama?”


    Lily’s small voice carries from the hallway. Scarlett immediately moves toward her, but I’m faster.


    “I’ve got her.”


    Lily appears in the doorway, hair mussed from sleep, rubbing her eyes. When she sees me, her face lights up.


    < Chapter 62


    “Daddy!”


    More Rewards >


    She runs straight to me, and I scoop her up, my heart nearly bursting. She grounds me in a way I didn’t realize I needed. Her presence, her sweet scent, it makes my heart ache less somehow, making the pain less intense.


    “How are you feeling, baby girl?”


    “All better.” She wraps her arms around my neck. “You came back.”


    “I promised I would.”


    Over her head, I catch Scarlett watching us. There’s an emotion in her <i>eyes </i>that broadens my


    smile.


    “Uncle Dorian’s here too,” Lily notices, wiggling out of my arms to give him a hug.


    Uncle Dorian. The joy in her voice at seeing him makes my heart re with jealousy. But then


    …I smile. Uncle Dorian it is.


    As long as she doesn’t call him daddy.


    “I made pancakes,” Scarlett tells Lily. “Your favorite.”


    “Can Daddy have some too?”


    Scarlett frowns, and opens her mouth. Before she can say anything, Dorian steps in, “Of course he can. Right, Scarlett?”


    Scarlett nods, but I can see the tension in her shoulders. She doesn’t want me here. She


    called him because she needs awyer, a divorce from me.


    The realization cuts deep.


    We sit around the small table like some twisted version of a family. Lily chatters happily between bites, telling us about her dreams, asking if we can go to the parkter. Normal four–year–old conversation.


    But nothing about this is normal.


    Scarlett focuses entirely on Dorian. Asking about his work,ughing at his stories. She passes him the syrup without being asked, refills his coffee before he’s finished his first cup.


    All the little intimacies I remember from our marriage. All the ways she used to take care of <ol><li>me. </li></ol>


    Now she won’t even look in my direction.


    < Chapter 62


    More Rewards


    “The pancakes are delicious,” I say, desperate to be included in their easy conversation.


    “Thank you.” She doesn’t look up from cutting Lily’s pancakes into smaller pieces.


    “Remember how you used to make them for me? Sunday mornings, when I had time to sleep


    in?”


    Finally, she meets my eyes. What I see there isn’t nostalgia or warmth.


    It’s pain.


    “I stopped living in the past. You should too.”


    The dismissal is polite but final. She’s not interested in remembering our good times. She’s


    moved on.


    But I’m still stuck in the past, holding onto memories of a woman who doesn’t exist anymore.


    “Mama, can Uncle Doriane to the park with us?” Lily asks.


    “Of course he can.”


    “I’d love to.” Dorian smiles at Lily, then at Scarlett. “We could make a day of it. Lunch, then maybe go to that park you mentioned.”


    I can’t take it anymore. I stand up abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. “I just remembered I have an important meeting today.”


    “Daddy-” Lily starts to protest.


    “Baby girl, daddy needs to make money to support you and your Mama.” I ruffle her hair, trying to smile. Scarlett snorts at my words, but doesn’t say anything. Thank goodness for Lily. “You have fun at the park, okay?”


    “Will youe backter?”


    “I will, sweetheart.” Instructing her to be a good girl, I reluctantly walk away from the table. I’m halfway to the door when Scarlett catches up with me.


    “Jasper, wait.”


    I turn, and for a second I think she’s going to ask me to stay. Instead, she stuffs the breakfast I bought in my hands.


    “You forgot these.”


    “They’re for Lily.”


    < Chapter 62


    She nods, not meeting my gaze. “Take them. She won’t be able to eat them.”


    I nod, my chest growing heavier.


    More Rewards >


    I walk out before I can say something I’ll regret. Before I can beg her to give me another chance, to remember what we used to have.


    Before I can tell her I love her and have her look at me with pity.


    Scarlett has built a new life. Whatever chance I might have had, whatever hope I’ve been clinging to it’s gone. There’s no room for me in her life anymore


    As I drive home through the morning traffic, I try to convince myself to let go, that she’s happy without me.


    But I can’t shake off the image of her face when I mentioned those Sunday morning pancakes.


    She looked hurt.


    Not angry. Not dismissive.


    Hurt. Like the memory still haunts her, even if she wishes it didn’t.


    That has to mean something. She must still love me. It’s only the memory of how I’ve hurt her in the past that’s stopping her from opening herself to me again.


    That must be it. It has to be.


    The thought rekindles my hope, filling me with a refound strength. It’s the only thing that keeps me going. Keeps me from falling apart.


    Because without that hope, I would have nothing left.


    Violet Moon


    #Vote#!


    2


    <b>Get </b>Bonus (Ad) >


    Vote


    286


    “1