Ditching Me for His 'Soulmate'? His Loss. Next Stop: My New Life novel Chapter 99

Chapter 2

After finishing work, I made my way directly to the preschool to collect my son.

The moment I saw him, the first words he uttered were,
“Mommy, today’s my birthday.”

Then, almost immediately, he asked,
“Is Daddy coming to celebrate with us?”

Standing there on the bustling sidewalk, my eyes began to sting with tears.

“Your dad, he…” I started to explain, but before I could finish, my phone buzzed in my hand.

It was Nate finally responding.

[I’m free. Coming home.]

A wave of relief washed over me so quickly that I barely had time to process it.

“Don’t worry, Leo. Daddy’s coming home,” I assured him.

His face lit up, and he clapped his hands excitedly before throwing himself into my arms, overjoyed.

After six years of marriage, this marked the very first time Nate had agreed to come home for Leo’s birthday.

That evening, I prepared a full dinner spread, making sure everything was perfect.

Leo even managed to finish his homework early, eager to enjoy the celebration.

One hour passed.

Then two.

Then three.

I kept sending messages, again and again, hoping for a reply.

But just like always, silence.

Leo seemed to sense what was happening.

He looked up at me with cautious eyes.

“Mom, is Daddy just… really busy again?”

My heart tightened painfully.

I wanted to explain, to offer some excuse that might soften the blow, but none could.

So I simply said,
“It’s okay. Mommy will always be here with you.”

He didn’t ask again.

Quietly, he picked up his party hat.

“Can you help me put this on, Mommy?”

I nodded and bent down to place the hat on his head. As I did, my eyes caught a glimpse of Zoe’s latest Instagram post.

[Today was perfect. I loved every second of it.]

The picture showed a fancy dinner table, candlelight flickering softly on gleaming silverware.

No faces were visible, but in the top right corner, I noticed a wedding ring.

The very same one I had chosen for Nate.

Except he always wore that ring on his pinky finger.

Because to him, that signified he was “single.”

Guilt flickered across his eyes.

“Sorry. I forgot,” he mumbled.

I almost laughed bitterly.

All those unread messages—how could he have missed them?

Or maybe he hadn’t.

Maybe Zoe’s intoxicating perfume had clouded his mind.

I handed him the papers, flipping to the last page.

Trying to keep my voice calm and steady, I said,
“Just sign this.”

Before he could respond, his phone rang.

Zoe’s voice came through, shaky and dramatic.

“Nate, the power’s out at my place. I’m scared. Can you come stay with me?”

Without hesitation, panic flashing across his face, Nate stood up.

“Hang on—I’m coming.”

He didn’t even glance at me.

He just grabbed the pen, signed the papers, and walked out the door.

Nate, I hope you remember this moment.

You were the one who gave up on this family.