He Chose Them, Not Us

Back in Greydale, I returned to our beat-up house with Luca—my little boy. Tony Jarrett wasn't home yet. The front door groaned like it hated being touched.Out on the line, a floral dress and some flashy kids' clothes fluttered—freshly washed and definitely new.The stuff I'd washed yesterday? Dumped on the ground, stomped over and caked in dust.Ryan, Pauline Schmidt's kid, was posted up on that new motorcycle, playing like he owned the world.Luca dropped my hand and ran toward it. Right as he reached out, Ryan shoved him hard—sent him straight to the dirt.I rushed over and scooped Luca up.Pauline strolled out, all casual, stopping by the motorcycle with this smug little smile. "Sorry, Zoe. Ryan's just a kid—he didn't mean it. Tony told him to guard the motorcycle before he left, so he panicked."My bad too, I was busy with laundry. Tony said new clothes need washing before wearing."He probably got some for you and Luca too, right? Want me to wash 'em for you?"She sound

Tony glanced at Pauline, then handed Luca over, eyes never meeting mine—or his."Luca's young. He'll bounce back. But if Pauline's leg's broken, she won't be able to care for Ryan. If there's anything left, I'll take Luca in."***Watching Tony ride off with Pauline and Ryan felt like someone punched a hole straight through my chest.In the end, I had to borrow money from my boss, Mr. Baxter, just to get Luca treated.We passed Tony in the hospital hallway—he didn't even look at us.It wasn't until the doctor finished patching Luca up that I finally exhaled.Sitting in that hallway, watching nurses rush past, my mind drifted back to when I first met Tony.It was at a cousin's wedding—he was a groomsman, I was a bridesmaid.After that, he somehow kept "bumping into me" after work, like clockwork.He said he was worried about me walking home alone after late shifts, so he'd follow from a distance, just to make sure I was safe.When word got out I was on the factory's layoff li

I stood frozen, just staring at Tony, completely speechless.He frowned, already annoyed. "Zoe, I'm doing this to help Pauline get a job. Why are you being so petty? You never used to be like this."Was it me who changed? Or was it always him?I looked up and smiled. "Sure. Nine tomorrow. I'll go with you."He blinked, stunned I agreed that fast."If there's nothing else, you should go. I've got work."His face twisted into something I couldn't read. We used to be so busy, I'd beg for time together. Now, I was sending him off without a second thought.Didn't matter. I turned and walked away.The next morning, we signed the divorce papers.When we first talked marriage, Tony didn't even want to register it. Said having a wedding made us a couple—paper or not.It took serious pushing to get him to finally sign.Back then, I thought he just hated red tape. But now? It was always about Pauline.After we finalized the divorce, I turned to leave—but Tony stopped me.He pulled so

At dinner, Luca dug in with this big, glowing smile. It had been ages since I'd seen him eat like that—carefree and happy.Back then, anytime I made something good, Tony would swoop in first. Most of it never even hit the table.Ribs? Forget it. Tony always said Pauline loved them, so every time we bought some, he'd take them straight to her."Mom, this smells amazing!"I smiled and ruffled his hair. "Eat all you want. These are ours."He paused, that bright smile dimming. "Mom... Dad won't give our stuff to other people anymore, right?"I forced a nod, swallowing the sting in my throat. "He won't. We're not going back."Seeing him that happy only made it hurt more.He didn't get what marriage or divorce really meant. All he knew was his dad didn't want him.But me? I was done looking back.***After Luca started school, I dove headfirst into work at the factory.The place was brand-new, barely staffed, and hardly anyone knew the tech side—so yeah, I was slammed.But it pa

This time, Tony wasn't all smug. His eyes begged as he looked at me and Luca."Zoe, Luca, come back with me, please? I'm selling the motorcycle—gonna save up for a bigger place!"My mind flashed to the flood. It was coming this fall."Leave. Don't come near us again.""Zoe, you can't let Luca grow up without a dad!""So what? He's got a mom—that's more than enough. I already changed his last name. He's Luca Zander now."Tony just stared at me, hands tightening around his bag.Back when we signed the custody papers, he'd been too busy calling Pauline to notice anything else."Zoe, we said the divorce was just for show...""We also said we'd save for a house. But your money? Gone. You didn't chip in a dime, and you blew my savings on a motorcycle. Was it really for Pauline's commute, or just your excuse to be near her? Honestly, just looking at you makes me sick."Tony started to panic. "Let me explain."It's true—I couldn't let go of Pauline at first. I wasn't willing to acce