Chapter 21
GRACE
Alex stared at Grace like a fish that had suddenly found itself flopping on a wooden pier. His blue eyes were wide behind his glasses. He opened his mouth… then closed it.
His hesitation was all the answer Grace needed. She took a deep breath, willing herself not to cry or show any emotion.
“It looks like you’re out, then.”
“Grace, let’s talk about this—” Alex started, but Grace raised a hand to cut him off.
“We’re done, Alex. She swept her hand over the apartment, over the table where they’d eaten, the couch where they’d chatted, and the nursery they’d set up together. “This is over. I have to put our children, and myself, first.”
“What are you saying?” Alex asked.
“I’m saying that it’s time for you to leave,” Grace said bluntly.
“You’re prioritizing your company over me and the kids.
You say you’re all in, but as soon as things get tough, you find a reason to walk away.
You did it when you let me be fired. You’re doing it now.
I get it, but I can’t let you do this to our kids.
It’s better for you to leave now than hurt them later on. ”
“I…” Alex sighed, and his broad shoulders slumped. “If that’s what you really want, I’ll go.”
“It isn’t what I want,” Grace snapped. “I want us to be parents to our kids. I want you to believe that I’m innocent. I want you to believe in me. I want you to choose us. But you’re choosing your company, and I can’t stop you. Just don’t mistake any of this for being what I want.”
“I want us to be parents to our kids, too,” Alex said.
“Yeah, but your desire to be a good parent matters far less to you than your company. That’s clear.” Grace crossed her small apartment and yanked the front door open. “Goodbye, Alex.”
Alex walked slowly to the door. He paused in front of her for just a moment, and, despite herself, hope flickered in Grace’s heart that he might realize the mistake he was making and stop. But he didn’t. He just met her eyes for a long, painful moment before entering the hallway and walking away.
Grace shut the door behind him. She’d cried over Alex plenty of times before, but this time, she didn’t. A part of her had known all along that this was coming. It was almost a relief to know that Alex was just as much of a jerk as she’d always thought.
Now, once and for all, she knew how he really felt.
There would be no more of Alex returning with promises of walking this path with her.
There would be no more false promises at all.
Grace knew now, without a shadow of a doubt, that she could never trust Alex—not with her heart, and certainly not with her babies.
She was truly on her own.
She went into the kitchen and started a pot of peppermint tea. The familiar scent reminded her of the mints Alex used to bring, and her heart clenched as she remembered the future she’d hoped for, now out of reach.
She’d lost her father when she was too young. But her kids had it worse, because their father was out there and still didn’t choose them.
The next few days passed as slowly as molasses in winter.
Grace kept herself busy by finding a few freelance coding jobs and rereading her baby book.
She visited her mom and Susie and told them all about the disastrous end of her relationship with Alex.
Both promised to help Grace every step of the way, but Grace still felt very, very alone.
For his part, Alex didn’t text or call, and for that, she was grateful. She couldn’t deal with him right now. Or ever.
A few days after Alex had left her apartment for the last time, Grace got a call from Patrick. She’d been dodging his calls for a while now, but this time, she answered.
“This is Grace,” she said.
“Finally.” Patrick sounded impatient. “Where have you been? I’ve been trying to get in touch for weeks.”
“Sorry,” Grace said. “Pregnancy is tough.”
“I have heard that women are forgetful and moody when they’re pregnant,” Patrick said in a rather condescending tone. “But none of that matters now. Are you going to send me the information about your time at MatchupNow so that we can move forward with the lawsuit?”
Grace hesitated. She still felt terrible about suing Alex, but it was clear now that he had no interest in protecting her or the babies. He might not support them anymore, and she had to make sure that she had enough money to provide for her kids.
Grace rested one hand on the soft curve of her belly. As if in response, she felt a tentative kick against her palm. Grace sighed.
“I’ll send you the information,” she said, the words catching in her throat.
“Really?” Patrick sounded unconvinced. “What if you change your mind again?”
“I won’t,” Grace said resolutely. “I’m all in this time.”
“Good. Then come to the office tomorrow. It’s time we moved forward.”
“I will,” Grace agreed.
She hung up and sat back on the couch. Her heart ached, and her throat felt tight, but at least now she knew where she stood.
As Patrick had said, it was time to move forward—and not just with the lawsuit.
Grace needed to move forward with her life as a soon-to-be single mom.
She had to move past Alex, once and for all.
If only it were easier to move on.