Ditching Me for His 'Soulmate'? His Loss. Next Stop: My New Life novel Chapter 100

Chapter 3

The following morning, I returned to the office to hand in my work. The air was crisp, and the soft hum of early activity filled the space as coworkers settled into their routines. Nate approached me, holding a gift box wrapped with neat precision.

“This is for Leo’s birthday,” he said casually, extending the package toward me.

“I forgot to give it to him yesterday,” he added with a slight shrug.

I hesitated for a moment before accepting the box and lifting the lid. Inside was a toy puppy.

My heart sank. That toy represented everything Leo feared.

When Leo was five, Nate had taken him to an amusement park. At one point, Nate bumped into a friend and let go of Leo’s hand. Lost in the sea of strangers, Leo wandered off. When we finally found him, he was crouched on the sidewalk, trembling with fear after a stray dog had barked loudly at him. Since then, dogs had become his greatest source of terror.

And now, the very man responsible for that trauma thought a toy dog was an appropriate birthday gift.

I couldn’t decide if anger or disappointment weighed heavier in my chest. Without much thought, I set the box aside.

Keeping my voice steady, I said, “Thanks.”

Nate gave me a peculiar look, then added, “Zoe’s power went out last night.”

He paused for a beat before continuing, “I’m thinking of letting her stay at the house.”

“You should take the day off,” he suggested, his tone casual as if discussing the weather. “Pack a few things and take Leo somewhere else for a couple of days.”

His words hit me like a sudden blow to the chest.

I stared at him, stunned and struggling to process what he’d just said.

“You’re seriously kicking me and our son out… for Zoe?” I asked, disbelief thick in my voice.

Nate frowned, clearly annoyed. “Don’t make it sound so dramatic.”

“It’s just temporary.”

“We agreed to keep our marriage quiet, remember?”

“Gotta avoid awkwardness at work.”

I let out a bitter, tired laugh. Just coworkers, huh? Just keeping things professional? Or was he ashamed of us—worried we’d shatter his perfect romantic image?

I turned back to my desk, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand.

“Got it,” I said quietly.

“I’ll get our stuff together, and we’ll be out of your way.”

“I—”

“They’re family. Just crashing here for a bit,” Nate interrupted before I could finish.

His grip tightened around the suitcase handle.

This wasn’t the first time he’d said those words.

But every time, it cut just as deeply.

I opened my mouth to respond, but Leo beat me to it.

“Hi, sir,” he said softly, his eyes red-rimmed.

I looked at him, stunned by the sudden politeness despite the tension.

“Mom, let’s go,” he whispered.

Every word I wanted to say got caught in my throat.

I forced a small smile and whispered back, “Okay.”

As we passed by them, Nate reached out and grabbed my arm.