Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 51

Chapter 37

Chapter 37

(Sabrina’s POV)

The admission makes my chest ache.

I think about Jake’s drawing this morning. The unlabeled figure standing close but not quite

connected to our little family.

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I think about the custody hearing in two days and how much easier it would be to prove stability

with a good job and a place to live.

Though I want to do this on my own, I also know that in life, sometimes you have to accept help.

No one can do everything alone.

“Fine,” I say finally. “But only I will come. If you lie to me-

“I won’t. I promise.”

“Your promises don’t mean much to me right now.”

“I know. But I’m going to earn back your trust. Starting tonight.”

We agree to meet at a family restaurant at six. Somewhere casual and public where I can demand answers without worrying about making a scene.

After we hang up, I stand in the bathroom for a long moment, staring at my reflection.

The woman looking back at me seems older, tired. But I still have a court battle to fight. A custody

to win.

So I can’t become weak now.

This time, I’m going to stand my ground.

Even if every instinct I have is screaming at me to run, I’m going to show up to work Monday morning with my head held high, ready to prove I belong there even if Ethan Hale got me in through

the back door.

Because running hasn’t gotten me anywhere. Running just left me alone in a hotel room, jobless and desperate, and on the verge of losing my son.

My phone buzzes with a text from Sophia: Are you okay? You sounded weird on the phone.

I type back quickly: I’m fine. Can you watch Jake tonight? I need to meet with someone.

Her response comes immediately: Of course. Whatever you need.

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I pocket my phone and head for the elevator, my mind already racing with questions I need

answered.

Who is Ethan Hale really?

Why did a billionaire CEO sign up for my son’s ridiculous contest?

And most importantly-why did he take interest in me, a single mother and soon divorcee, when there are better women out there for him to choose from?

(Dustin’s POV)

The coffee in my hand has gone cold, but I don’t move to get a fresh cup.

I can’t. Not when I can see Sabrina sitting at a booth by the window, facing the man from Jake’s

videos.

“You’re staring again,” Jessica says from behind me. Her heels click against the floor as she approaches. “It’s pathetic.”

“I’m gathering evidence.” I lift my phone, snapping another photo through the window. The angle is perfect-Sabrina leaning forward, the man’s hand covering hers on the table. “The judge needs to see what kind of environment she’s exposing Jake to.”

“Jake isn’t even with her right now.”

“Doesn’t matter. She’s clearly prioritizing her love life over our son.” Another photo. This one catches them both smiling. “Look at her. We’re two days away from a custody hearing and she’s on

a date.”

Jessica moves beside me, studying the scene below. “Are you jealous?” She suddenly asks.

I jump out of my seat as if a cat stepped on my toe. “Hell, no! Are you out of your mind? Why would I be jealous if Sabrina sees another man? I dumped her, remember?”

She narrows her eyes, and I don’t like the suspicion I catch there. Sabrina never looked at me like that, never. Not even when I came home drunk and smelling of perfume.

But I divorced her for Jessica. So why is Jessica behaving like this?

“That looks like the man from the cruise videos.” She finally says, crossing her arms.

“Looks like him.” Though I can’t be sure from this distance. The man is tall, well-dressed, confident in a way that makes my jaw clench. “Whoever he is, he’s proof that Sabrina’s unstable. Moving from one relationship to another without thinking about how it affects Jake.”

“Or maybe she’s just moving on.” Jessica’s voice carries an edge. Again, I don’t like it. “The way you

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Chapter 37

moved on with me.”

I turn to look at her. “That’s different.”

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“Because we were together long before Sabrina ever came into the picture. Because what I felt for you was real, not some rebound relationship designed to make me look good on social media.”

Jessica’s expression hardens. “You need to win this case, Dustin. The public backlash is already affecting the company. My father is furious. If we’re going to have any chance at framing this as Sabrina’s fault-at making people believe she’s the one who destroyed your marriage-you need to get full custody of Jake.”

“I know.”

“Do you? Because you’ve been standing at this window for twenty minutes, staring at your ex-wife like some lovesick teenager.” She steps closer, her perfume sharp and expensive.

“Please, Jessica. Not this again. I already told you that I’m documenting evidence. I need this to win the case, as you were so kind to remind me half a second ago.”

“Bullshit.” Her hand grips my arm, forcing me to face her. “You’re obsessing over her. Just like you’ve been obsessing over those videos Jake posted.”

The mention of the videos makes my blood boil all over again.

I’ve watched them dozens of times. Maybe hundreds. Each viewing makes me angrier.

My son-my own son-went online and asked strangers to replace me. Posted videos of his mother kissing another man. Tagged me in the comments so I’d be sure to see every humiliating

moment.

The internet is still having a field day with it. Memes. Comments. Entire threads dedicated to discussing what a terrible father I must be if my five-year-old is that desperate to find a replacement.

Some of the comments still swim in my head.

@DustinReedMarketing bet you’re feeling real smart about cheating now huh?

Your son is a LEGEND for exposing you like this!

Imagine being so terrible that your own kid fires you as dad LMAOOO!

The screenshots are burned into my phone. Every cruel comment. Every laughing emoji. Every person who thinks they know my life based on a few viral videos.

They’re all going to eat their words when I get Jake’s custody.

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