She happily gurgles, completely oblivious to my inner turmoil. I envy her innocence, her ability to exist in the moment without worry for the future.
"I wish it was that simple, cupcake," I sigh, sinking onto the couch. "I wish I could just follow my heart without being terrified of the consequences."
18
ADAM
Iwake to an empty bed, the sheets still warm. I sit up, running a hand through my hair. The house is quiet. Too quiet.
"Destiny?" I call out, my voice echoing through the halls.
No answer.
I throw on a pair of sweatpants and stride out of the bedroom. The nursery is empty, Avery's crib untouched since last night.
A quick scan of the living room yields nothing but memories of the sparks of a passionate encounter.
My stomach drops. Surely she didn’t…
When I reach the front door, an envelope lying against a vase catches my eye.
Destiny's handwriting. Fucking great.
I snatch it up, scanning the contents:
"Adam,
Had to get home. We should talk later.
Destiny"
I crumple the envelope in my fist. Sneaking out like a one-night stand? Real mature, Destiny.
Gritting my teeth, I storm to the kitchen, downing a glass of water before slamming down the glass.
I slam cabinet doors as I grab a pan and some eggs.
The frustration is making my skin itch, and the sizzle of breakfast hitting hot metal does little to soothe my irritation.
Last night flashes through my mind—Destiny's skin against mine, her gasps of pleasure. I shake my head, forcing the images away.
Last night shouldn’t have happened. We’re in the middle of a divorce. Our relationship should be cordial at best.
Our reconnection isn’t about us. It's about Avery.
I shovel eggs into my mouth, barely tasting them. The bacon is perfectly prepared, just as I normally like it, but it’s tasteless.
My daughter. My priority. Everything else is secondary.
I go to work dressed as sharply as ever. When I walk into the building, I feel a sense of relief spread over me. Being at work sets me at ease like nothing else can.
In my office, I soon lose myself in work, the worries about Avery and Destiny fading into the background. It’s something I’ll deal with later.
The phone's shrill ring cuts through my concentration.
I glance at the caller ID: my lawyer. Shit. His calls never bode well.
"Thomas. Tell me that you’ve good news for me for once," I answer, leaning back in my chair.