Chapter 15%
The moment he said that, Valentina’s heart dropped.
Her instincts screamed warning.
She quickly reached for his hand and clung to it, using her sweetest voice. “Mr. Ambrose you’re still mad at me, aren’t you? I’m sorry, really I didn’t mean to hurt you or Jayden. Just give me one more chance, okay? I promise, no more reckless behavior“}
Nick felt that same prickling sense of revulsion rise in his chest. He tried to pull his hand away, but she held on tight–too tight. With no better option, he gave in.
“Fine. One more chance.”
Valentina’s eyes lit up. She knew when to stop pushing, so she let go of his hand and turned to Jayden with a bright smile.
“Jayden, you’re getting discharged today! How about we celebrate it? Do you like theme park? Let’s go to the theme park.“8
Jayden’s face, which had been a little sullen, instantly lit up. He didn’t even look at Valentina–he looked straight at Nick 3
“Is Dad coming too?
Nick opened his mouth, ready to say no.
But Jayden beat him to it. “You hardly ever have time for me. Can’t we just go, please? Just this once. The three of us. Like a real family.”
He grabbed their hands and looked up with a hopeful expression that was hard to resist
Nick hesitated. The thought of pretending to be a family with Valentina made his stomach tum… but when he saw the way Jayden looked at him, full of hope, he caved.
At the amusement park, the first thing Jayden wanted to do was take a picture
He positioned them carefully–Nick and Valentina standing close together and him in front. Then he reached back, grabbed their hands and placed them on his shoulders.
“Perfect!” he grinned as the camera clicked.
“Dad, post this one,” Jayden said excitedly. “Put it on your feed. I want Aria to see it–to see how happy we are without her.”
He was practically beaming, already imagining the look on Aria’s face when she saw how close he was with Valentina.
Jayden had always known Aria loved him. No matter how many times he cursed her or played tricks on her, she treated him like her own. He didn’t believe for a second that seeing him with another woman wouldn’t sting!
She deserved it. This was her punishment for leaving.
Nick was curious too. He wanted to see how Aria would react
So, he posted the photo to his feed.
It didn’t take long for the comments to pour
[Daaamn, brot Who’s the new lady? She looks just like Gianna–so perfect with you!
[Dude, are you hiding her from us? Word is you two go way back. No wonder Aria bailed. I’d be jealous too.
[Wait you were married to Aria for five years and never posted her once. And now you’re putting this girl on your feed? Are you serious about her? Thought the Ambrose didn’t do second marriages. Don’t tell me this is your secret fling?]
Nick didn’t respond. He didn’t care about their gossip.
He just kept watching his notifications waiting.!
Then, finally, he saw it–Aria’s profile picture. Her name popped up in the feed.
His heart skipped.
He tapped on the post!
But she hadn’t liked his picture.
She had liked someone else’s–another mutual friend. A woman. She’d posted a photo from a snowy mountain trip.
Ana had commented, “Where is this? I want to go.”
Nick felt a vein in his forehead twitch His jaw clenched. With a huff, he locked his phone and tossed it aside. X
