Ex In, Me Out

I shoved his hand off me. No way I was letting him touch me—especially not now."If you wanna play stepdad, be my guest. But I'm not signing up to be your the tolerant wife. And she's not moving in like some side chick with benefits."Chuck's face darkened. "Diana Drew, can't you talk like a decent human being? Women should lift each other up. You're a woman too—why make life harder for her? I'm just trying to help. Ever heard of compassion?"I almost laughed. Three years by his side, helping him build from nothing. And the second I finally got pregnant, he pulled this stunt—marched in with his ex and her kid like he was doing some noble act, then acted like I was the problem.Then he flipped into command mode. "Tomorrow, set up a room for Ella and Lucy. Actually, make it two."I smiled. "Why bother? I'll just move out. Let your little family shack up together. Saves space."The room went dead quiet. He shot me a look that could kill and stormed out.***The next morning, while

In the haze, I heard the doctor ask if I wanted to keep the baby. Chuck heard it too.While he stepped out to handle paperwork, the doctor came over. Quiet, but firm.The baby couldn't be saved.I signed the consent form.When I came to, the room reeked of antiseptic. Cold. Silent.The doctor didn't hold back. "Reckless. Drinking while pregnant, then trauma to the stomach? Where's your family? You've been out for a day. Your husband came by once. Once. What kind of person does that?"I looked around. No one.I shook my head. "We're getting divorced."The doctor just nodded and told me to rest before discharge.Still stuck in the hospital, I called a lawyer and had the divorce papers drafted.When I called Chuck, he sounded flustered."Babe, just wait a little longer. Once I've handled everything, I'll come take care of you."I smiled. "What's there to wait for? By the time you're ready, it'll be too late.""Don't be like that. Let me get Ella and Lucy settled first—gotta g

When Lucy started preschool, it just so happened a few of the kids there were ones I'd been sponsoring.Back when I couldn't get pregnant, I figured doing some good might earn me a little karma. So I started sponsoring kids at the preschool. One day, I got a call from the teacher—the girl I sponsored had gotten into a fight.When I showed up, I found her and Lucy standing toe to toe. Braids a mess, faces streaked with dirt, both of them fuming.Turns out, the director had shown the kids a PowerPoint that day, introduced me with a photo—explaining I was the sponsor.Lucy pointed at me and yelled, "Bad woman! You stole my dad! My mom said you're a homewrecker!"That line had Ella written all over it.All I ever did was write checks for a few kids, but Ella had been trash-talking me across the whole preschool. Even Lucy always called me a homewrecker in front of everyone, some of the parents actually believed it.Word was going around that I was using sponsorship to flirt with th

Lately, Chuck had been sniffing around, trying to figure out where I'd disappeared to.I was busy gearing up to sue him into oblivion. When someone won't listen to reason, you hit them with the law.Meanwhile, my parents tried setting me up with a few "nice guys." Met them. Yawn. I'd rather be single than bored.Somewhere in there, I took a trip overseas.When Chuck realized I was off-grid, he started sucking up to my parents.My mom went to play poker with her friends—she was basically famous for losing. Her friends loved it; she might as well have been handing out cash.So Chuck paid them off to lose on purpose.At first, Mom was over the moon—until she found out Chuck had rigged the game. She scooped up every dollar and stormed his office.Right there, in front of everyone, she chucked the cash in his face."I don't want your dirty money. Back off and leave my daughter alone."Chuck just stood there, head down. The same guy who used to flex in boardrooms got roasted in fro

I'd heard about Chuck's downfall, but since he never showed up, I acted like I didn't know a thing.Next time I saw him was at an auto shop. My belly had a soft curve by then. He was under a car, covered in grease. When he slid out and saw me—frozen.That one look felt like it stretched forever.Only six months had passed.He awkwardly wiped his hands and sweat off his face.We ended up in the waiting area. He glanced at my stomach, gave this bitter little smile. After a pause, he finally asked, "You... got married?"I took a sip of water. "No. IVF."Rich, pregnant, no husband—it's a solid life.I added, "What? You're not with Ella?"Chuck shook his head. "I... didn't love her. I only looked after her out of pity. Don't get it twisted. After we broke up, it was over."He kept going, but I shut him down. "Save it. I don't care. Half that money was yours. If you really need help, I'll lend you some. Basic human decency. I'm not as vicious as you claimed."His face went red at