Ditching Me for His 'Soulmate'? His Loss. Next Stop: My New Life novel Chapter 101

Chapter 4

He looked at me with utter disbelief, his eyes wide and confused.

“Leo… did he just call me that?” he muttered, voice trembling.

A bitter chuckle escaped my lips, dry and sharp as broken glass.

“Isn’t this exactly what you wanted, Nate?” I shot back, my voice low but steady.

For six years, we’d been married in secret.

But Nate didn’t just conceal our marriage from the world.

He never once allowed our son to call him “Dad.”

The only difference now?

Back then, he insisted Leo call him “Uncle.”

Now, it was Leo himself who was drawing the line.

I dropped my gaze, trying to pull my hand free, but Nate’s grip was firm, unyielding.

His eyes were impossible to read as he looked at me.

“Just give me a few days,” he pleaded quietly. “I’ll explain everything to Leo.”

I met his gaze with a cool, measured tone. “Zoe’s waiting for you. Let go.”

It was as if he suddenly remembered, and with a reluctant sigh, he released my hand.

I scoffed softly, reaching for Leo’s small hand, ready to leave.

But then Nate called out abruptly, “Wait.”

He jogged back to his car, returning with a cake box in hand.

“Happy birthday, Leo,” he said, voice almost softer now.

Zoe jumped in, perfectly timed, “That was actually my cake from Nate, but it turns out it’s your son’s birthday.”

“What a coincidence,” I murmured, feeling the weight of the cake suddenly heavy in my hands.

I started to hand it back—

But then I caught the bright, hopeful light shining in Leo’s eyes.

My heart softened against my will, and I stopped.

Leo didn’t understand the complicated games adults played.

He simply looked up at Nate, full of innocent hope.

“Can you eat with me?” he asked, voice small but eager.

Nate hesitated only briefly before nodding.

Leo’s face lit up, and he dashed into the living room, pulling me along to open the box.

I ruffled his hair affectionately and began slicing the cake.

But the moment I took a bite, my smile froze.

“Spit it out! Don’t eat that!” I shouted, panic flooding my voice.

I snatched the cake from Leo’s hand just in time.

I placed the signed divorce papers on the desk and exhaled deeply.

Then, grabbing my suitcase, I took my son straight to the airport.

Before boarding the plane, I looked down at him gently.

“Are you upset that I’m taking you away?” I asked softly.

He shook his head and pressed his cheek against mine.

“I just want to be with you, Mom,” he whispered.

That was it—

The dam inside me finally broke.

All the pain, all the heartache, melted into a quiet, fragile peace.

I pulled out my phone and blocked Nate on every platform.

Nate, this time it really was goodbye.

The next morning, Nate arrived at work right on time.

After everything that had happened yesterday, sleep had eluded him completely.

He opened his email, trying to focus.

Right at the top was a notice that caught his eye:

“Letter of resignation?”