She quietly picked up Ethan’s note and read it aloud.
“Since Percy is your real family now, we thought you’d want these memories back.”
The entire yard fell silent except for the hum of the pool filter.
She looked at Jordan for several long seconds.
Then shook her head.
“I don’t want to be the woman standing beside a father who ignores his own children.”
She slipped off the bracelet Jordan had given her, placed it on the gift box, and walked out through the gate without another word.
I watched my ex-husband, the man I had loved for two decades, and felt something finally loosen inside my chest.
But he wasn’t finished.
“Ethan,” he shouted. “Ethan, get over here.”
Ethan remained on the diving board with his arms folded.
“You will obey me! Or else, I’ll—”
“Don’t you dare,” I interrupted, stepping between them. “You don’t get to raise your voice at these children. Not after everything.”
“They’re my kids too!”
Only then did Jordan realize every neighbor was watching.
Every guest had gone silent.
“Get off my property, Jordan.”
He opened his mouth.
Then thought better of it.
He walked away, leaving the gift box behind.
Someone near the grill muttered quietly.
Another neighbor slowly shook his head.
For the first time in months, I could breathe freely.
Clark was still standing beside me.
His job had technically ended.
Yet he hadn’t moved.
Our hands brushed.
Neither of us stepped away.
Ethan hurried over.
“I’m better than okay, sweetheart.”
Clark waited until conversations slowly resumed.
Then he smiled.
“Looks like my contract officially ended five minutes ago.”
I laughed.
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