She and the Bowmans had built something warm. She knew the thread was fraying, but she wasn’t ready to cut it.
Part of her hoped Edgar would come to his senses and give their relationship a dignified ending. The other part was just... savoring the last of what had been.
Halle knew what she wanted. So, when Edgar threw tantrums at her, she didn’t care, because getting him to come crawling back had never been the goal.
James let out a quiet “tsk.”
Halle asked, "What? You're going to mock me?"
James said, “Not mocking. Just... a lot of feelings.”
Halle shot back, “Feelings about what? Do you think you understand me now?”
“Of course, I understand you. But, Halle.” James straightened the camera, aiming it at his own face. The easy smile was still there, but his eyes were serious. “Out with the old, in with the new. Let go of the past. You’ll get so much more.”
James would show Halle what real care and devotion looked like.
What he’d heard beneath her reluctance to leave wasn’t stubbornness—it was fear. A deep-down conviction that once she lost Edgar, she’d never find anything that good again.
James’s job right now wasn’t to compete with Edgar. It was to make Halle feel safe.
James wasn’t some entitled rich kid. Good upbringing, solid family, strong foundation. He could handle anything life threw at him without losing his composure—and he could give Halle the security and warmth she needed.
Confident people thought confidently about everything.
James knew it was a little shameless to hype himself up and paint a rosy picture of his future with Halle.
But the facts would prove it: he and Halle were a perfect match.
He wanted every thought he was having right now to come true.
Halle said, “You sound like a guidance counselor.”
“God, no! I’m not trying to lecture you—that’d be patronizing. I’m just telling the truth.” James added, “And also, yes, trying to lure you back home. My dog and I both miss having a gorgeous neighbor around. One day without seeing you, and that’s one day too many overthinking.”
Halle laughed at the camera.
...
The next morning. Halle came downstairs for breakfast. Neither Tyler nor Hayley mentioned the previous night. Their expressions and behavior were perfectly normal—not a single tell.
Halle pretended she didn’t know anything either, savoring the warm, comfortable routine of being around them.
Three people at a table. Like a little family.


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The readers' comments on the novel: Divorce me I'm done serving you (Ayla)
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Why is half of each of these chapters missing? The story sort of trails off in the middle of the chapter. That’s unfortunate....