Semua Bab He Chose Them, Not Us: Bab 1 - Bab 10

10 Bab

Chapter 1

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

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Chapter 2

That steak? Pauline didn't ask for it. She blew every paycheck on clothes—never food.Luca stared at the half-slice, then gripped my leg tight. His voice was soft. "I don't want it. You can have it, Dad."Tony froze. His expression turned sour. "Zoe, what lies have you been feeding him now? You won't stop till he's just like you—cold and selfish."Then he turned on Luca. "And you—I pay for your education so you learn some respect. Not to sit around whining like a victim. Maybe you don't need school at all! And forget meat—if you won't eat, I'm done buying it for you!"Luca flinched. Tears streamed down his cheeks, but he stood tall and stared right at him. "Dad, today Ryan pushed me."Tony scoffed, shooting us both a dirty look. "Yeah, right. Another one of your mom's little tricks. You two make a great team—always playing the same sad game."***After Tony stormed out, Luca looked up at me, tear tracks still fresh on his cheeks."Mom, is Dad Ryan's dad too?"That one cut deep

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Chapter 3

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

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Chapter 4

I kept going, "If she hadn't pushed to ride the motorcycle, would any of this have happened?"Tony looked at me like I was dirt."So this is about the motorcycle? If you hate this house so much, then leave. Pauline's lease just ended anyway."***When I brought Luca home from the hospital, all our stuff was already dumped outside. Pauline and her son had moved in."Zoe, what are you doing back? Tony said you weren't coming, so I moved in," she said, all casual.Before I could respond, she spun around and came back out with Ryan. "Well, I guess we'll leave then. But I'm no beggar."I didn't get why she said that—until I heard Tony behind me."Zoe, you're the beggar here! I told Pauline to move in. This house is mine. You don't get a say! Pauline, take the kid and go inside. I decide who stays here."Pauline shot me a look, all fake sympathy. "But... where will Zoe and Luca live?"Tony snapped, "Wherever they want. It's not my problem!"Then he shot me a look like I was trash,

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Chapter 5

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

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Chapter 6

"How was I supposed to know if you didn't tell me? And because of Luca, Pauline's leg is still hurt. Here's the deal—take Luca back tonight and apologize to her. From now on, just move back home. What kind of image are you giving, staying out like this every day?"I actually laughed. Cold."We're divorced, Tony. What right do I have to live there?"He looked down, muttering, "We'll just say you're someone I hired to take care of Pauline."So that was the game. He wanted me to play maid for Pauline and Ryan."No thanks. The dorm's just fine. Beats living with certain eyesores.""Zoe, you better never come back!" he yelled, storming off.He still thought I'd crawl back, begging for another chance.Too bad for him—I was done. The second I took the job in Avenville, I cut that chapter for good.Once I wrapped up everything at work, Luca and I boarded a train. Avenville was fresh, full of possibility. I believed I could give him the life he deserved.Waiting for us was William Sau

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Chapter 7

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

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Chapter 8

He chased after us. "When are you coming back with me?"I stopped, turned, and gave him a sharp look. "Back? To remarry you? Thought you and Pauline just had a big, fancy wedding."Tony dropped his gaze. Guilt flashed across his face. "I only did that to help her get a job, I—""To help her get a job, you had to help her into bed too?" I cut in, ice-cold, and walked off. He stood there frozen.In my rush, I bumped into someone just outside the shopping complex."Sorry, I—William?""Zoe! What a coincidence. Just got back and ran into you. Talk about timing."He pulled a dress and a model toy car out of his case, handing them to me and Luca."Picked these up in Luxoria—hope you like them. Oh, and there's something else for you two."***He handed me a small, flat box.Godiva chocolates?I blinked. Those were imported—and pricey.I waved him off fast. "That's way too much. We can't take them. It means a lot, really—but take them back."All those gifts together probably cost

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Chapter 9

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

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Chapter 10

Tony lost it."If you hadn't been begging for dresses nonstop—and your damn kid stealing cash for toys—I wouldn't be in this mess. You burn through money like it's nothing. I bust my ass all day and still come home to cook and do your laundry. I'm done, Pauline!"The middle-aged guy recoiled. "You have a kid?"He yanked his hand back and walked off without looking back.***Watching them, it all clicked.Back then, my paycheck kept things afloat while Tony blew his cash on Pauline—he even gave her the meat I bought.Now? He was stuck supporting her and Ryan on his own, and she wasn't doing squat. Just mooching and making it worse. No wonder he snapped.Honestly, if she'd been decent, he probably wouldn't regret a thing.Guys like Tony only ever love themselves.When they started shoving each other, I grabbed Luca and left with William.Outside the door, I thanked William. He met my eyes, steady and serious."If I could, I'd play this part forever."It hit me a second late.

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