Ex-Wife Moving Wife Giving Birth? Congratulations, You’re Single Now novel Chapter 22

Chapter 10

Six months later, Ethan officially proposed.

“Evelyn, I know you still have doubts, but I want to tell you–I’m not Ryan.” He got down on one knee, holding a ring. “I won’t say ‘I’ll take care of you, because I know you don’t need someone to take care of you. You’re independent, strong, amazing. I just want to be with you, walk through life together.”

I looked at him, eyes welling up.

“Ethan, I don’t want to believe in ‘promises‘ anymore.”

“Then we won’t talk about promises. We’ll talk about ‘together,” Ethan said. “Working together, living together, raising kids together, growing old together.”

I smiled, tears falling. “Okay.”

Ethan stood up, slid the ring on my finger, and hugged me.

“Thank you, Evelyn.”

“Thank you, Ethan.”

I leaned on his shoulder.

This time, I wasn’t believing in “I’ll take care of you.” I was believing in “we’re in this together.”

This time, I wasn’t losing myself–I was becoming a better version of myself, with him.

This time, I wouldn’t regret it.

On our wedding day, Jamie was the ring bearer, and Ethan’s daughter was the flower girl.

The two kids held hands, grinning so wide.

Cassie said, “Evelyn, you finally found happiness.”

“Yeah. Real happiness this time,” I said, smiling.

“You don’t hate Ryan anymore?”

“Not anymore.” I looked at the sky in the distance. “He taught me something–relying on yourself is more reliable than relying on anyone else.”

Cassie nodded. “Yeah. Rely on yourself.”

I watched Ethan making the kids laugh.

He wasn’t perfect, but he was genuine.

He wouldn’t say “I’ll take care of you,” but he’d say “we’re in this together.”

That was enough.

A year later, I got pregnant.

This time, I didn’t quit my job. And Ethan didn’t ask me to.

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Ex–Wife Moving > Wife Giving Birth? Congratulations, You’re Single Now

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Chapter 10

He said. “If you want to work, work. If you want to rest, rest. I support you.”

“I want to work.”

“Then work until right before the baby comes.”

1 nodded and kept going to the office,

The day the baby was born, Ethan was by my side.

“Evelyn, you did amazing,” he said, holding my hand.

“Wasn’t hard,” I said, looking at the baby in my arms. “This was my choice.”

“Our choice.”

“Yeah. Our choice.”

Jamie and Ethan’s daughter came in too, staring at the baby with wide, curious eyes.

“Mommy, is this my little brother?” Jamie asked.

“Yep, this is your little brother.”

“I’m gonna take really good care of him!”

I smiled, looking at this family of mine, feeling so full inside.

Later, Jamie started elementary school–happy, outgoing kid.

Ethan’s daughter started middle school–sweet and confident.

The baby just turned one and started saying “Mama.”

Everything was good.

One weekend, I took all three kids to the grocery store.

Jamie pushed the cart, Ethan’s daughter helped grab stuff, and the baby sat in the cart giggling.

At the snack aisle, I saw Ryan again.

He saw me too, froze for a second, then quickly turned and walked away.

Jamie asked, “Mommy, who was that?”

“Just… someone I used to know.”

“Oh.” Jamie didn’t ask again.

We kept shopping, filled the cart, and headed to checkout.

At the register, I glanced at the receipt–over $1,200.

Before, spending $1,200 would’ve made me panic, worried Ryan would say “All you do is spend money.”

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Ex–Wife Moving > Wife Giving Birth? Congratulations, You’re Single Now

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Chapter 10

Now, spending $1.200 just felt normal–because it was my money, and I earned it.

Back home, Ethan had already made dinner.

“You must be tired, Evelyn,” he said, taking the bags.

“Not really.”

“Oh, by the way, a new coworker started at the company. Says she knows you.”

“Who?”

“Think her name’s Sienna Brooks.”

I paused, then smiled. “Really.”

“What’s up?”

“Nothing,” I said. “Just funny how small the world is.”

Ethan didn’t push it and started setting the table.

I walked out to the balcony and watched the sunset.

Sienna.

The mistress who went to Bali with Ryan. Guess she’s struggling enough to need a new job now.

ཇ་ཝ

But I didn’t care.

Her life had nothing to do with me.

Ryan’s life had nothing to do with me.

I only cared about my own life, and the people around me.

After dinner, Ethan took the kids to bathe while I cleaned up.

My phone rang–unknown number.

I glanced at it and didn’t answer.

It rang again.

Same number.

I hesitated, then hung up and blocked it.

Didn’t matter who it was. I didn’t want to pick up.

Because my life right now was already full.

I didn’t need anyone disrupting it.

That night, lying in bed, Ethan was reading next to me.

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Ex–Wife Moving > Wife Giving Birth? Congratulations, You’re Single Now

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Chapter 10

“Ethan.”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For making me believe there are still genuine people in the world.”

Ethan smiled, put down his book, and pulled me close. “Evelyn, you’re the one who made me believe there are still strong people in the world.”

I leaned on his shoulder and closed my eyes.

Sometimes, I wonder–what if I’d never found out about Ryan cheating?

Maybe I’d still be in the dark, still living that “you’re spending my money” life, still losing myself.

But now, I’m grateful I found out.

Grateful I didn’t keep lying to myself. Grateful I had the courage to leave. Grateful I started over.

All of this was my choice.

And I don’t regret it.

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