My ex-wife leans in, a whisper meant to bruise. “You’re temporary. When he gets bored, you’ll go back to whatever cubicle he plucked you from. Keep your hands off my daughter in the meantime.”
I step between them, close enough that Vanessa has to tilt her chin to hold my gaze.
“Watch how you speak to mywife,” I seethe, anger rolling off me. “Right now, and going forward.”
She rolls her eyes, but I don’t let her say another word.
“Here are the rules: you do not corner or harass my wife—here, at school, online,anywhere. You do not speak about her in front of Bri. You do not weaponize visitation. One more stunt like this, and I document it, and we ask Judge Martinez for restrictions you won’t like. Control your damn self, Vanessa.”
Her lawyer materializes from the corner. “Ms. Albright,” he says carefully, touching her elbow. “This is not advisable.”
Vanessa jerks once, eyes bright with spite. “Enjoy the ring while it shines,” she spits at Mya. “When he’s done, you’ll be a footnote.”
Mya’s expression doesn’t falter. I’m so damn proud of her for standing her ground and not cowering. The way she defends herself, and Bri, pries my chest open wider.
I love that she’s strong for herself.
I love that she’s gentle with my daughter.
I love that she cares about me and my life.
I loveher.
Vanessa’s attorney steers her away down the corridor. She throws one last glare over her shoulder and disappears around the bend.
The air loosens.
I turn to Mya. “You okay, baby?”
She exhales slowly. “I’m fine.”
Brianna joins us and looks from Mya to me, reading the room. I open an arm, and she steps in without hesitation, sketchbook thumping my side.
Over her head, Mya meets my eyes. “Let’s go home.”
Mya
I finally let out an exhale when we walk into the house.
Brianna heads upstairs early with her sketchbook, and I promise I’ll come say goodnight.
After changing into comfier clothes, I find Worth in the kitchen, palms braced on the island.
“How’s your heartbeat?” I ask, sitting on the bench.
He huffs. “Returning to human.”
We stay silent for a minute, letting the quiet calm the storm of today.
“Thank you for showing up,” he adds.
Heat presses under my sternum like an ache. “Of course. I’ll always be there for you and Brianna.”
His gaze flicks to my fingers on the counter, then to my wedding ring. Without thinking too hard about it, I turn my palm up. He sets his hand over mine, and I feel the tight coil inside me unwind a notch.
Bri pads down the stairs. “Goodnight,” she mumbles, tipping her face to me first so we can bump heads. Worth presses his lips to her temple. She squeezes our hands together like she’s fusing us and then disappears up the stairs again.
We don’t move for a while after that. Eventually Worth says, “Tea?” and I nod. We drink it leaning hip to hip against the counter, and when the mugs are empty, I slide my hand into his. He threads our fingers together like he’s been waiting to do it all day.