Ex-husband, Get out!

Chapter 2

Maybe he had forgotten why I'd always been so desperate to have a child.

Back when Logan was just getting his business off the ground and barely had two pennies to rub together, I stuck by him. I slept in a damp basement beside him, lived off cold steamed buns for weeks. One time, he forgot some important documents at home. I rushed to deliver them, tripped and fell hard. That's when I lost our first baby, before I even knew I was pregnant.

I grew up in an orphanage where I was the odd one out, constantly bullied. The only warmth I knew came from the matron, but with so many kids under her care, there was never enough love to go around. I learned not to ask for too much, not to compete, not to cry. That loneliness followed me into adulthood. More than anything, I craved a complete, happy family.

After the miscarriage, the doctors told me the truth I'd dreaded: the damage and my malnutrition made it difficult for me to conceive again. For years, I tried everything, medications, doctors, treatments. All so I could have my own child.

And now Logan dared to use this child as a bargaining chip.

"Logan, I don't need it anymore," I said quietly.

When he heard that, he actually smirked, like I was performing for him.

"Don't need it? Fay, stop acting."

To him, everything I did was an act.

I'd given up the dream jobs, prestigious dance troupe offers, just to stay by his side. I threw myself into low-paying, exhausting gigs just to help cover rent. From being a backup dancer for washed-up singers to performing in shopping malls with leaky ceilings and slippery stages, I took every job I could find.

Once, I tore a ligament mid-performance. I limped my way home and brushed it off as stage makeup when Logan noticed the swelling. He believed me. He always did, because he never cared enough to ask twice.

Back then, all he needed was someone, anyone, to keep him company during those long, dark nights when the world seemed against him. He didn't care if that someone was a person or a stray animal. Just warm and breathing.

He knew exactly what I wanted. And he used it against me.

But not anymore.

I had my child now. I'd give my baby the love and safety I never had. And Logan Brooks would have no part in it.

Just as I was about to turn away, Rebecca stepped out of the hospital room.

"So, you're Fay Tautou?" she said, looking surprised. "I'm Rebecca. I heard you were going to try the drug for me. Thank you so much."

She held out her hand for a handshake.

I didn't take it. I didn't even look at her.

Logan's frown deepened, his voice full of reproach. "Fay, what's wrong with you? Do you not have any manners?"

I shot him a cold smile. "I have OCD."

The silence crackled.

Rebecca tugged lightly on Logan's sleeve, clearly uncomfortable. "Let it go, Logan. The doctor said the side effects might be pretty bad, dizziness, nausea, even internal bleeding. If Fay doesn't want to take the risk, it's okay. I don't want to force her."

She was trying to sound generous, but all I heard was pity, and guilt-tripping.

Logan turned to me again, his voice sharpening. "Can't you be reasonable for once? Rebecca's sick. Can't you just do something for her?"

That frown of his, I knew it too well. Normally, the moment he made that face, I'd cave. Even if it wasn't my fault, I'd apologize. Just to keep the peace.

But not today.

I stepped back, ready to leave. I had to get out of there before George showed up.

Logan immediately moved to block me. "Try the drug for Rebecca," he warned, "or don't even think about getting anything from me ever again."

His eyes were full of certainty. He truly believed I would cave.

Right then, the elevator dinged.

George stepped out with a few bodyguards and a small case in his hand.

"Mr. Brooks," he said, "the medicine is here."