Because it means I might not see Mya for months. That she is actually going to put an ocean between us.
“She’s not running from you.” Tiana’s voice is softer now. “She’s running from the noise and from what people are saying. From feeling like she was the problem.”
“Mya was never a problem.”
Before either of us can add anything, the door chimes again and Bri walks in, her backpack slung across one shoulder, hair alittle frizzy from the wind. Vanessa is right behind her, coat over one arm, looking annoyingly put together.
“Hey, Piglet,” I say, standing.
“Hi, Dad.” She comes straight to me with a smile. “It was good.”
“Yeah?” I glance at Vanessa.
My ex-wife nods and looks at Brianna. “Thank you for meeting with me.”
“You’re welcome,” Bri says, happily.
Tiana gets up. “I’ll leave you to it. Nice to see you, Worth.” She gives Vanessa a tight smile. “Bri, want a snack?”
“Yes!” Brianna grins and follows Tiana to the coffee bar.
There’s a brief moment of silence. Vanessa clears her throat. “Listen, Worth.” Her eyes flick to me and away. “I, uh… I saw the article. About you and Mya.”
My jaw tightens.
“I just wanted to say I’m sorry it blew up like that,” she goes on, actually sounding sincere. “I know what it’s like to have people think they know you. And she was good with Bri—despite what I said at court.”
It’s not much, but from Vanessa, that’s practically a handwritten apology.
“Thanks.” I nod once. “We’re handling it.”
I could leave it there, but something makes me push forward.
“A lot of what’s out there isn’t true,” I add. “They twisted things. Ran with what they wanted. It’s not what people think.”
She lifts a hand, stopping me with a faint shake of her head. “You don’t owe me an explanation. Regardless of what did or didn’t happen, it sucks.”
I study her. Once, all I saw when I looked at Vanessa was a storm wearing lipstick and perfume. Right now, she just looks… human.
“Why do you care?” I ask before I can stop myself. “Why not use this against me?” I don’t lace it with anger. Just the truth.
Vanessa exhales slowly. “Because I’ve had to sit with myself and with the part I played in how everything fell apart.” Her eyes drift away, somewhere honest. “Every time I go after you, Brianna loses. She’s the one who hurts. And I’m done letting my pride cost our daughter more pieces of stability.”
“If I drag you back to court again,” Vanessa continues, “if I try to punish you because I’m angry or scared… I risk losing her. I risk breaking whatever fragile trust she still has in me. And I won’t do that again.”
Silence stretches between us, but it isn’t hostile this time.
Vanessa gives me a little smile. “And for the record, contrary to what you probably believe, I don’t hate you, Worth.”
I let that sit for a second.
“I don’t hate you either.”
She nods, a small breath escaping, like she’s been holding it for years.
“Okay. Well. I’ll see you next week.”
She walks over to our daughter and places a hand on her shoulder, squeezing.