Page 82 of Hello Billionaire

From the back seat, Andrew asked, “Was it love at first sight?”

I smiled slightly, realizing that thinking of the past with Caleb already didn’t hurt like it used to. “Not quite. I was still mad at your dad for the whole acid thing.”

Levi chuckled, and I held on to the moment.

“Maybe Alyssa can come by for movie night when you guys get back?” I suggested.

He shook his head. “I don’t want to embarrass her. But if I can take her out to the movie theater...”

“That sounds fun,” I said.

He smiled, typing on his phone again.

It struck me that the world was wide open for Levi. His own love stories, heartbreaks, and comebacks were all ahead of him still. And even though I had so much life behind me, I realized... I still had a lot ahead too.

We reached the Austin city limits, and Cora said, “I remember this place.”

I laughed. “You should remember it; we lived here almost your whole life.”

“It’s been a while,” she said.

“True.”

Memories hit me, one after another as we got closer to the house. Moving into our first home. Caleb getting promoted, working more hours away. Building a bigger, better house. Finding receipts for six bottles of my perfume, two for one, in his pocket. Rationalizing that he was stocking up for birthdays and anniversaries. Weekend trips with limited phone calls to me or the kids. Telling myself it was because he was a dedicated provider. Feeling like we were roommates instead of husband and wife.

And then the proof. A positive HPV test.

Searching through his phone.

Finding a text from his receptionist asking when he was leaving me.

And his reply.

Soon.

Before finally, he admitted the truth.

I parked in the driveway behind a car I didn’t recognize and got out of the van.

The kids piled out as well, and I went to the trunk, unloading their suitcases as they ran to the front door.

Caleb came outside, followed by...

My jaw went slack.

“Kids, do you remember Melinda and Adabelle?” he asked them.

I walked toward the spectacle, drawn to it like a bug to a zapper. Caleb had his arm around the waist of a thin blond, and a little girl held on to her hand. I knew he’d been dating someone, but this was the last person I expected.

Melinda was a single mom from the kids’ old school, and Adabelle had been Cora’s best friend. Now I knew why she hadn’t called me after the split.

Cora ran to Adabelle, squealing and wrapping her in a hug. “I missed you!”

Melinda smiled at Andrew and Levi, not making eye contact with me at all. Levi’s shoulders were stiff, his jaw tight.

“Levi, you’ve grown a foot!” Melinda said. “And Andrew, you look like you’re sixteen already!”

Andrew groused, “I’m only eight. Birthday August second.”

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