He Never Loved Me, Until I Left

My hands were steady when I set my resignation letter on Daniel Wilson's desk.

"Ms. Taylor, are you really sure about this?" Daniel pushed up his glasses, sounding surprised. "You've worked at the company for so many years. It's such a shame you're suddenly resigning."

I sighed in agreement.

I explained that my husband had found steady work in Harmony City, and the separation wasn't fair to our son.

"Children need both parents together, you know?"

Daniel nodded, sympathy crossing his face. "That's true. Single parenting is tough. I had no idea your husband was in Lumaria. We assumed you were raising him alone."

I let him think that.

I wasn't single yet. But I would be soon.

Leaving HR, I glanced toward the planning department.

Behind the glass door of the break room, Nicholas Jackson was getting coffee.

He wore a dark gray suit that fit him perfectly, silver cufflinks catching the light.

After six years, he still looked flawless.

Legally, this perfect man was supposed to be my partner.

My husband.

The father of my child.

Which made it worse that he despised me.

I'd been his best employee once. Then one drunk night changed everything.

We married for the baby, but he began pulling away from everything—me, fatherhood, all of it.

He couldn't even stand Joseph calling him Dad.

I needed to ask if he'd come to Joseph's school sports day.

I knew he'd say no, but Joseph kept asking.

I didn't want Joseph to be disappointed.

"Mr. Jackson."

The second he heard my voice, his expression hardened, like I'd ruined his day just by speaking. He didn't even come closer.

He picked up his coffee and turned around. Then Alice Baker appeared, all smiles, her hand finding his arm like it belonged there. "Mr. Jackson, there are a few parts of the proposal I don't quite understand..."

"Mm, come to my office in a bit." His voice went soft, leaning in to hear her better.

The gentleness he'd never shown me.

I watched them walk away together.

My phone vibrated.

It was a message from my son Joseph.

"Mom, will Dad come today? I want him to watch me run."

My eyes stung. Down the hall, Nicholas was tucking a strand of hair behind Alice's ear.

I knew what he'd say, but I texted anyway.

"Joseph's sports day is this afternoon. Can you come? It's his birthday too."

I watched him check his phone.

He put it away without even typing.

I closed my eyes.

Of course. If he couldn't love me, why would he love our son?

Soon we'd all be free of this.

Joseph pressed his face to the car window, scanning the parking lot.

"Mom, is Dad here?"

I unbuckled my seatbelt, trying to make my voice sound casual. "Daddy got stuck at work. But he's cheering for you from his office."

His face fell for just a second.

Then he forced a smile. "That's okay! Having Mom here is enough!"

Six years old and already protecting my feelings.

I pulled him close, hating myself for the lie.

At the sports day, Joseph flew across the finish line first in the relay race. Clutching his prize, he beamed, "Mom! I can give this to Daddy! For his sore shoulders!"

My chest tightened. That's why he'd wanted Nicholas there so badly.

We got home as the sun was setting. My phone buzzed as I set down my purse.

One word from Nicholas: "okay."

I stared at the screen in shock.

Joseph was sprawled on the floor with his homework. I knelt beside him, barely containing my excitement. "Daddy's coming home for your birthday."

"Really?!" Joseph's head snapped up, eyes wide.

The first time in six years Nicholas would be here for his son's birthday.

I threw myself into cooking.

Nicholas's favorite lamb chops, Joseph's beloved mushroom soup, and the cake I'd ordered weeks ago.

After finishing his homework, Joseph planted himself by the door with his gift, watching and waiting.

Seven o'clock.

Nine o'clock.

Five texts. No response.

"Mom..." Joseph's voice was barely a whisper. "Did Daddy have to work late again?"

I could see him fighting back tears.

I knelt down, words stuck in my throat.

"That's okay!" Joseph smiled through watery eyes. "We can have cake together!"

He grabbed a party hat from the couch. "Help me put this on?"

As I reached for the hat, my phone lit up with a notification.

Alice had posted something.