Mr. Fake-Mute's Love Game Ended When I Stopped Playing the Fool novel Chapter 54

Chapter 4

The car stopped in front of the kindergarten. I pushed the door open and got out.

Peyton was standing by the gate.

The second she saw me, her face lit up and the waved hard

“Sorry, baby. Mommy’s late today,”

“Did you wait long?

She tilted her head up and pointed with one tiny finger.

“Is it because of that man?”

I froze, followed her gaze.

Jasper was standing right behind me.

That usual cocky look was gone–replaced by something heavier.

And was that… a flash of excitement?

My chest tightened. I grabbed Peyton’s hand a little tighter.

He stepped closer, crouched down in front of her, eyes fixed on her sweet little face.

Even his normally cold voice softened.

“How old are you? What’s your name?”

Three years together–1 knew him well enough.

If I didn’t let him see for himself, he’d never believe me.

I looked down at Peytona and squeezed her hand gently–our signal.

She got it.

“My name’s Peyton Sterling, I’m three.”

1 let out a quiet breath

Jasper stared at her–the face that looked so much like his.

Mr. Fake Mute’s Love Game Ended When I stopped Flaying the fool

47

Chapter 4

The joy of almost becoming a father flickered across his face.

Then Peyton’s words sank in.

Whatever he was about to say died in his throat.

Peyton was born premature. I’d been malnourished during the pregnancy, so she was smaller than most kids her age.

Hard to tell exactly how old she was just by looking.

After I broke up with Jasper, I blocked him everywhere.

He never looked for me either.

We were like two twisted lines–briefly tangled, then snapped back into place.

Five years in the same city.

I used to imagined it–running into that familiar car at a corner, a red light, some random moment.

Never happened.

We were always on different tracks, moving at different speeds, headed for different destinations.

Same sky. Completely different worlds.

That night, Peyton tugged on my sleeve, confused.

“Mommy, I’m four. Why did you tell me to lie?”

Yeah.

Why did I make my kid lie?

Maybe because I didn’t want trouble.

After that last time with Jasper, I found out I was pregnant.

I thought about getting rid of it.

But when I was on that table, I hesitated.

Part of me wasn’t ready to let go–I’ll admit it–I wasn’t over him.

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Mr. Fake–Mute’s Love Game Ended When I Stopped Playing the Fool

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Chapter 4

I thought, even if we can’t be together, maybe having his kid wouldn’t be so bad.

So I had her alone.

And the moment I held that tiny, warm little bundle in my arms, I knew–I’d made the right call.

She was MY child.

She didn’t belong to anyone else. She deserved to see the world.

After I put Peyton to bed, my phone rang.

1. HR.

“Quinn, you don’t need to come in tomorrow.”

I frowned. “Whose decision was that?”

Silence on the other end.

I didn’t push it.

One day earlier or later didn’t make a difference–Jasper, I was leaving anyway.

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