All Chapters of HER LAST NAME, HIS CLAIM: Chapter 11 - Chapter 18

I was glad Enzo left town.Honestly? I hoped he wouldn’t come back.When I really thought about it, Nathan and I never used to fight, not like this. But ever since Enzo returned to Maplewood, it felt like every argument was based on him. Somehow, in one way or another, he always caused it.The library felt so much better without his presence. No tension, no stupid stunts. It was peaceful.Still, the thoughts wouldn’t stop. The what ifs. The fact that he kept insisting we “fix” things like I hadn’t already moved on with my life.I spent the rest of the day shelving books and pretending the memories trying to crawl out of the grave I buried them in weren’t real.The town didn’t help matters between Nathan and I because everywhere I went, the rumour was everywhere I went, “Elena and Enzo are back together.”Talk about fake news.This town needed a public affairs department at this point.When I finally got home, there was a bouquet of flowers on my porch, a handwritten note tucked betwee

For the next two days, I did the only thing I knew how to do whenever things were out of control.I avoided everyone.I ignored Enzo completely, his calls, his messages, I left it all unread. I didn’t have the strength to deal with whatever version of him would show up on the other side of that conversation.I avoided Nathan too.He called over and over again, his name lighting up my screen like an alarm, but I let it ring until it stopped. When he eventually showed up at my door, knocking hard enough to wake me up, I didn’t let him in.“I need time alone,” I said through the door. “please go home.”Then I ignored him till I couldn’t hear him anymore.I buried myself in work.The library has always been my safe place. I arranged and rearranged books until my arms hurt, read fairytale stories to kids and smiled through it all. The quiet routine helped clear my head.Olive noticed.“You can’t just ignore the problem and hope it disappears,” she said, arms folded. “It won’t, you need to

By the next morning, I had made exactly one decision,I was getting my old car back.It didn’t matter how shiny or expensive that blue Lexus was. I wasn’t going to let Enzo bulldoze his way into my life with gifts I never asked for. Especially gifts that would only complicate things with Nathan.I stared at the Lexus key on my table.“Fine,” I muttered. “Let’s do this.”I grabbed my bag, the keys, went to the car and drove straight to Enzo’s house.The drive was annoyingly pleasant. Smooth. The AC was perfect. The brakes were perfect and the whole thing moved like butter.I wanted to throw the entire vehicle into a river.When I pulled up in front of his house, I didn’t even bother getting out of the car. I dialed his number.He answered on the first ring.“You could’ve just rung the bell,” he said, clearly amused. “Or used the door code. Unless you forgot your own birthday?”“Come outside,” I snapped.He exhaled long and loud, that one that meant he was about to be a menace.Then the

It’s been a full week now since I finally accepted my fate regarding the car. The shiny, stupid car.I stood at the window staring at it, looking at the way sunlight made it look even more expensive.“You’re only here because my husband is insane.”Then I groaned at myself. Husband? Really?Great, there goes my blood pressure.But I had no other option, either use it or walk. And I wasn’t walking, not after the week I’ve had.So I grabbed my bag and headed out, sliding into the driver’s seat. There was no point denying how much I liked the car, just not the person who bought it. I cannot believe I’m driving around in something he bought. Huh!By the time I pulled up to the library, Judy was already outside with her iced coffee, waiting for me like a paparazzi.“Well, well, well,” she said, walking toward me. “Look who has embraced the luxury life.”I stepped out, locking the car. “Shut up.”Olive joined, raising a brow. “I thought you said you were returning it.”“I tried,” I replied