Page 8 of Finding Forever

“Alright, I have a meeting in five minutes. Give Penny my love,” Leon said before disconnecting the call.

With tasks delegated to my team members, I shut my laptop and went in search of the woman who created more chaos than order in my life. I found Victoria in her bedroom waltzing around in a silk robe that I was sure she’d charged to the card I’d given her for Penny’s needs. She was a slender, petite woman.

Most divorced men would revoke their ex-wives' access to their cards, but I wanted to ensure that when Victoria was with Penny, my little girl would want for nothing. I traveled a lot for work and it made things easier when I was unavailable.

I took a minute to look Victoria over. She was a good-looking woman if someone didn’t care about what was on the inside of the package. Her faux blond hair was brushed back from her heart-shaped face and held at her nape. Dark blue eyes that were shaded by long, thick lashes. The expression on her face was one of pure satisfaction, and everything Penny said at dinner came rushing back to me. Come to think of it, that look had been on her face more and more recently. I just hadn’t stopped to connect the dots. Thankfully, we had a daughter who hadn’t learned about discretion yet.

“Have you been screwing your driver?” I asked, cutting right to the chase. Penny wasn’t around, so there was no need for me to mince words.

Victoria’s eyes found mine, and she fixed her lips in a small smirk.

“God, please don’t tell me you’re jealous.”

I almost laughed at her delusion.Almost.But I was certain she’d only said what she said to distract me from the point at hand.

“I’m going to take that as a yes.” I breathed, shaking my head. “And you don’t even have the decency not to do it in the presence of our daughter.”

Victoria’s exasperation was made evident by the downturn of her mouth and the way she fisted her hand at her waist.

Still, she managed a mirthless laugh, all the while shaking her head. “As you’ll recall, we’ve been divorced a while now. I’m free to sleep with whoever I want.”

Just like Victoria, to hop right over the point I was trying to make. She went back to thumbing through her garment bags in search of something to wear. Most of the things still had tags on them. I noticed that none of the things she touched were a bathing suit.

Since Penny was under the impression that today would be a day by the pool, I dipped my brow in confusion.

“Penny’s excited about spending some time with you today. Are you taking her along?”

Victoria didn’t appear moved to hear that her daughter was longing to spend time with her. She shrugged and informed me, “I have plans to visit friends who are staying nearby.”

“What about your daughter?”

Victoria shrugged. “We’ll do something another time.”

“The point of this vacation is to spend time with her. Not for you to run off with your lover.”

My ex-wife had the audacity to look contrite. “I’ll spend time with the Penelope later. I promise.”

Irritation rippled through me, and I was clenching my jaw in frustration. “The blatant disregard you show toward our daughter is starting to—”

Victoria held up her hand and cut me off.

“Save the lecture. I told you, we’ll spend time together soon. Now, please get out so I can get dressed. Unless you want to stay?” she asked, lifting a thin brow.

“I see no reason to keep up my end of our deal if you’re going to act like this.”

“Oh, please. I’m complying with the terms.”

Penny chose that moment to walk into the room.

“Are we playing in the pool today, Mommy?”

“Not today, darling,” Victoria responded quickly. It broke my heart to see my daughter's smile turn into a frown.

Seizing the opportunity, Victoria grabbed hold of her and snapped a few smiling selfies. I scoffed because I didn’t even know she was holding her phone.

“Proof that I’m on vacation with Penelope!” Victoria exclaimed, sliding her phone into the pocket of her robe.

“I meant what I said, Victoria.”

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