Page 50 of Grumpy Ex's Secret Baby

Everything was changing too fast. My life was spinning out of control. I didn’t have the mental capacity to figure out how Tyson would fit into our lives or how we would make room in our lives for him.

Each fiber of my being was screaming at me to protect my child at all costs.

The worst of it was that none of this had started until Tyson walked into my life. He had seen me at the diner on the same day I got the first letter. Before he walked into my life again, none of this had been happening.

Not only had the stalker threatened me and my daughter, but he was a threat to Tyson. I hadn’t told him about how I had received pictures of him, his eyes gouged out, and threats to leave him alone.

Hopefully, Corey would take the threat seriously now, especially after I spoke with him this morning. I would hand over the pictures that had been sent to me.

Then, I would do the one thing I knew would rip my heart out of my chest.

Telling Tyson to leave would protect all of us. His reappearance in my life had started, which meant that his disappearance had to end.

I rolled over in bed, my mind still racing and found him already looking at me.

“Morning,” he said before kissing me quickly. “How are you doing this morning?”

“Not good.” I sat up and leaned back against my headboard, hugging my knees to my chest. I was grateful that Trinity wouldn’t be home for another hour yet. It would give me time to talk to Tyson.

“We’re going to figure this out.”

I sighed and nodded. “I know. Corey called me an hour ago, asking me to head down to the station.”

“Did you sleep at all last night?”

“Not a lot. I had some things I needed to think about.”

“Why does this feel like you’re about to break up with me?” Tyson asked, sitting up with a sad smile.

I wiped away the lone tear that dared to roll down my cheek. “I have to do what’s best for Trinity. She’s been confused lately with moving here and starting daycare, and with this threat getting more serious, I need more time to focus on her. I can’t do that with you around.”

Tyson nodded, his jaw tense and his lips pressed together in a thin line. I wished I knew what he was thinking, and I doubted he would tell me if I asked. Either that or I really wouldn’t like the answer.

“I don’t want this to end, but I’m not going to fight with you on it. If you need me out of your life to be the best mother you can be to our daughter, then I’ll step back.”

“You will?” I asked, hating how broken I sounded as my heart ripped itself in two.

“I’m still going to want partial custody, but we don’t need to figure it out right now. Take whatever time you need.”

He was a good man. Far too good for me, even if we could figure this mess out. I didn’t deserve his kindness or understanding after what I had done to us and continued to do to us.

“I do love you, Ty,” I whispered.

“I know, Hales,” he said, getting out of bed and pulling his clothes on. “You’re the love of my life. One day, we’re going to figure out how to make this work.”

I nodded and tried to ignore the churning in my stomach. Everything about this felt like the wrong decision, but it was all I could do to keep Trinity safe.

“Dad is going to be dropping Trinity off soon. Do you mind watching her while I go talk to Corey?”

Despite what was happening, Tyson grinned. “Of course.”

“Great.”

Tyson stared at me for a moment longer before leaning across the bed. Our mouths tangled in a kiss mixed with salty tears before he pulled away and walked downstairs.

Get it together,I thought as I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom.You have shit you need to do.

After I went to the sheriff’s office, I would come home and cuddle with Trinity on the couch, watching her favorite movies and wishing that we could go back in time.

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