Ditching Me for His 'Soulmate'? His Loss. Next Stop: My New Life novel Chapter 118

Chapter 4

“Yeah, I’m alive. Sorry if that disappoints you.”

I fixed Sebastian Shaw with a glare sharp enough to cut through steel. Even after six long years, I had to admit—Sebastian was still breathtakingly handsome. Time seemed to have spared him completely; he looked just as he had the day we married. But there was one glaring difference—those once warm eyes that had gazed at me with love were now cold, distant, and utterly unrecognizable.

Same face, but a stranger’s heart.

“You… you’re my mom?” My daughter’s voice trembled, disbelief written all over her face.

Perhaps it was because I had missed every moment of her adolescence, every milestone, every memory she should have shared with me. Her image of me had faded into a blurry shadow over the years. I couldn’t fault her for that—I only blamed myself for being gone so long.

Suddenly, as if a fog lifted, her eyes cleared. Recognition sparked, and she threw herself into my arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Mom, I missed you so much! Why didn’t you come back sooner? I dreamed about you every night, but Dad burned all your photos. I couldn’t even picture your face in my dreams.”

I gently ran my fingers through her hair, letting her release all the pain she’d been holding inside. As she cried, I glanced over at Sebastian with nothing but pure loathing.

“Sebastian, I don’t blame you for moving on while I was away all these years. I don’t blame you for marrying someone else,” I said quietly, though my voice trembled with hurt. “But what did my daughter ever do to you? How could you treat her like this?”

His expression darkened instantly at my accusation, and he let out a cold, humorless snort.

“Ivy is my daughter too. How I treat her is none of your damn business—you don’t get a say. Jenna, since you’re back, perfect timing. Let’s get our divorce signed.”

The crowd gathered around us erupted in whispers and murmurs, buzzing with disbelief.

“Wait, that’s actually Mr. Shaw’s wife?”

“Wife? That’s old news! Everyone knows Mr. Shaw’s married to Miss Ward now… and they have a kid.”

“Given Miss Ward’s family influence, Jenna’s better off dead. Once she’s in Miss Ward’s grip, she’ll probably wish she’d never been born.”

I tuned out the gossip and took a steadying breath.

“Fine. I’ll sign the divorce. But on two conditions.”

“You little bitch, don’t tell me you’re trying to claw your way into Mr. Shaw’s empire and bleed him dry!” Sebastian spat.

I felt my anger surge, nearly bursting from my chest.

“You have some nerve calling Ivy your daughter! If you truly cared about her, would you stand there and watch her beg on her knees for your assistant and your bastard son?”

Sebastian’s face twisted with fury, and without warning, he slapped me hard.

“What bastard son? That’s my legitimate son! Watch your mouth! Jenna, I’m warning you—don’t push your luck. Sign the divorce papers now, or I have a hundred ways to make you agree to this divorce in New York.”

“Dad, please don’t hit Mom anymore. I… I won’t go with her,” Ivy cried, dropping to her knees in desperation.

I quickly helped her to her feet, holding her close.

“Ivy, remember this—he’s not your father anymore.”

“A man like that doesn’t deserve to see you on your knees.”

That slap shattered whatever fragile connection remained between us. After that moment, Sebastian could no longer expect me to care about the past we once shared.