Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 43

< Chapter 31-1

Chapter 31-1

(Ethan’s POV)

+25 Points

I stand at the floor-to-ceiling windows of my office, my reflection a ghost against the city skyline. The coffee in my hand has gone cold. I don’t remember making it.

My phone sits on the desk behind me, dark and accusatory. No calls. No texts. Nothing from Sabrina since she told me goodbye in that gallery, her voice so flat and final it felt like a door

slamming in my face.

Three days. It’s been three days since I watched her walk away, and I still feel the phantom weight/ of her in my arms when we danced. Still taste the wine on her lips. Still see the exact moment her

trust in me shattered.

“Mr. Hale?”

Freya’s voice makes me turn. She’s hovering in the doorway, tablet clutched to her chest like a

shield.

“The board meeting starts in twenty minutes.”

“Cancel it.”

“Sir, that’s the third meeting this week-”

“I’m aware, Freya.” I turn back to the window because looking at her concerned face makes me feel like even more of a failure. “Reschedule it. I don’t care when.”

She doesn’t leave. I can feel her standing there, studying me with those sharp eyes. Eight years she’s been my assistant. She knows when something’s wrong.

“This is about that woman, isn’t it? The one from Jake’s videos.” Her voice is careful, neutral. “Sabrina Moore?”

I don’t answer. What am I supposed to say? That I’ve been obsessed with a woman I’d never met for six months? That I signed up for her five-year-old son’s contest to find her a boyfriend? That I \lied about my name and went along with an elaborate scheme just to introduce myself like a

normal person?

“With all due respect, sir,” Freya continues when I don’t respond, “you’ve been distracted since you started following that child’s account. And now it’s affecting your work, your-”

“His name is Jake.” The words come out sharper than I intend. “And I didn’t ask for your opinion on my personal life.”

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<Chapter 31-1

+25 PointA

“No, but-” She hesitates. “Sir, maybe you should consider that this situation is… beyond salvaging. – The woman made it clear she doesn’t want to see you again. Perhaps it’s time to move on.”

Move on.

As if I can just erase the memory of Sabrina’s laugh. The way she looked at my mother’s painting with such understanding it made my chest ache. The way she kissed me back like she’d been waiting for me as long as I’d been waiting for her.

“That’s not an option.”

“Mr. Hale-”

“I need you to do something for me.” I finally turn to face her, and whatever she sees in my expression makes her straighten. “And it needs to be handled carefully. Legally. No shortcuts.” Her eyes narrow with suspicion. “And what is it that you want me to do for you?”

I pull up the files on my computer-the ones I’ve been staring at for hours. Dustin Reed’s employment history at Sterling & Co. Campaign credits. Awards. All neatly documented and completely fraudulent.

“Dustin Reed has been taking credit for his wife’s work for years. I have proof-emails, drafts in Sabrina’s handwriting, timestamps showing she created campaigns he later presented as his

own.”

Freya steps closer, studying the screen. “How did you get these?”

“Sophia provided them. She had access through Phoenix Cosmetics’ partnership with Sterling &

Co.”

“That might not be admissible in court if it was obtained without proper

authorization-‘

“I don’t need it for court.” I close the laptop. “I need it for Sabrina’s custody lawyer. So he can present evidence that Dustin is a serial liar who built his career on stolen work. That his entire professional reputation is a fraud.”

Freya is quiet for a long moment. “You’re trying to help her win custody.”

“Yes.”

“Even though she told you she never wants to see you again.”

“Yes.”

“Sir, that’s…” She trails off, shaking her head. “You’re getting too involved in this mess. This isn’t like you, Mr. Hale. You’re cold. Calculative. You don’t make emotional decisions. Or get involved in

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