I thought that was the end of it, but the next day, he replaced me at our engagement party with Mia Walsh.
“Linda, Mia tried to kill herself to marry me. She’s in the hospital. Once she’s stable, I swear I’ll come back and marry you.”
Again, I just nodded and broke up with him.
“You’re right.”
Then I turned and walked away.
Four years later, he showed up at my small apartment with an engagement ring.
“Linda, Mia has agreed to a divorce! We can finally be together!”
“I told you, as soon as Mia could let go of her obsession with me and stop hurting herself, I’d come and marry you!”
I frowned at Owen’s lovesick puppy-dog act. Just my luck, I thought.
I had come back to my old apartment on a whim to grab a few things, and of course I run into this psycho ex.
I pushed him toward the door. “Excuse me, you’re gonna make me late to pick up my kid from school.”
…
Owen followed right behind me. “I’ve checked. No other man has set foot in this apartment in four years. What kid are you talking about?”
“I know you’re mad. Look, I’ll take you home with me right now. Even though your family’s poor and just scrapes by raising chickens, I’ve already convinced my parents. They won’t look down on you anymore.”
I turned, my brow furrowed. “I’ve told you before, my family’s farms cover several mountainsides.”
Owen scoffed. “It’s still just raising chickens. Don’t you dare mention that in front of my parents. It’s so tacky.”
Whatever. There was no getting through to this clueless city boy.
He had no idea what an organic, free-range operation on that scale was worth. It was the reason my family was far from poor now.
I picked up my pace. Any later and I’d be late picking up my son.
Owen kept trailing me. “I can take you back to the Mason estate right now. The mansion is huge. Mia hasn’t moved out yet, but there’s plenty of room for you.”
“But you’ll have to be nice to her. She’s… sensitive. Just humor her a bit, okay? Don’t upset her.”
“What the hell?” I stared at Owen in disbelief. “You haven’t even divorced her, and you’re already coming after me? And you want me to live with your current wife?!”
“What do you think I am? Your mistress? Some kind of concubine?”
“Are you insane?!”
I yanked open my car door and jumped in, desperate to get away from him.
He smoothly opened the passenger side door and slid in.
He muttered, “I always told you to lock the doors as soon as you get in. For safety. Still so careless, huh?”
His tone was so familiar, as if the last four years had never happened.
Staring at Owen, who was clearly not leaving, I saw red. “Get out. Now!”
Instead, he buckled his seatbelt, a smug look on his face like he was about to expose my big lie. “Weren’t you going to pick up your kid? Go on, drive. You’re going to be late.”
I glanced at the clock. He was right, I was almost out of time. My son would be heartbroken if he was the last one left.
I slammed my foot on the gas and shot out of the garage, frowning. “Don’t you dare say anything stupid when you see my son.”
Owen agreed nonchalantly. “Fine, I won’t. You’re really committed to this act, Linda. Let’s see where you’re gonna pull a son out of.”
Driving, I forced myself to calm down.
I stopped at a red light, staring at the congested traffic ahead.
“Owen, why on earth would you think I’d still be waiting for you after four years?”
My low, serious tone made Owen pause, a flicker of unease crossing his face.
But it was immediately replaced by his usual certainty.
“After being with me, how could you settle for a normal guy? Who else in my league are you going to meet? If you weren’t waiting for me, who else was there?”
I let out a long sigh. So that was it.
In his mind, I didn’t deserve anyone better.
That’s why he could leave without a second thought back then, and why he could come back now with such self-righteous confidence.
The light turned green.
I hit the gas, and as we passed through the intersection, I said softly, “Owen, I’m not kidding. I’m married, and I have a child.”
“Just get out when I park. I don’t want you disturbing my life.”
Owen’s brow twitched. “Linda, do you really think a lie like that is going to fool me?”
“I know you’re angry. Throw whatever tantrum you want. I’ll be right here until you’ve had enough and come back to me willingly.”
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