Page 24 of “Not” Engaged to the Grumpy Billionaire

"What are you doing here?" The words slip out before I can stop them, my voice harder than I intended. My mind is racing, trying to process what’s happening. Becky. Here. After all these years.

She gives me that same smile—sly and a little too practiced.

"Is that any way to greet an old friend?" she asks, her voice dripping with faux sweetness.

I grit my teeth, already feeling the tension rise.

"Last I recall, you swore you would never set foot in Ocean Bay again." My words are sharper now.

"So, what are you doing here?"

Becky waves a dismissive hand, her expression barely faltering.

"That was four years ago, Nate. People change. I’ve had time to reflect and now I’m back."

I narrow my eyes, alarm bells ringing in my head. I know her too well. There’s always a game, always something she’s playing at. I can feel it. The idea that she’s "back" isn’t sitting well with me.

"Can I come in?" she asks, stepping forward as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.

"No." My response is immediate, and I step into her path. "You can’t."

She frowns, clearly not expecting me to refuse her. "Why not?"

I cross my arms over my chest.

"Because the moment you signed those divorce papers, this stopped being your home. You don’t get to just walk back in here like nothing happened."

She lets out a laugh, brushing off my words like they’re nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

"Oh, Nate, I’m not trying to move back in. I just wanted to say hi... to you and my son."

The way she says "my son" grates on my nerves. She hadn’t been a mother to Max in years. I want to remind her that for four long years, she hasn’t once reached out. Not even a phone call. Not a single effort to check on Max, to see how he is doing, to be there for him.

I can feel the anger bubbling up, but I force myself to stay calm. Sue lays a supporting hand on my shoulders and quietlyasks if I need her to stay. I shake my head, and she gently closes the door as she leaves, but not before a comforting smile to me.”

I return my attention to Becky. "You had every opportunity to stay in Max’s life. We agreed on me having full custody, yes, but I never once prevented you from contacting him. You could have called. You could have asked to see him. You could have been a part of his life anytime you wanted." I stop, feeling the weight of my own words.

"But you didn’t."

Becky has the nerve to look sad, though I know her too well to believe any of it is real.

"I got busy," she says, her voice softening as if that’s some kind of excuse. "You know how it is."

Busy. The word echoes in my head, and I almost laugh at how absurd it is.

"Busy?" I repeat, incredulous.

"You left with your lover and didn’t look back. Not even for your son who was only two years old at the time. Busy? Too busy for him?”

Her eyes flicker, and I can see her scrambling to come up with something, anything to make her look less selfish.

"Nate, I’m sorry. I really am. I realize now how wrong I was. That is why I’m here. I want to be a part of his life again."

I stare at her, my mind numb to her words. She is saying all the right things, but I don’t believe a word of it. I know there is something else going on here. Becky didn’t just waltz back into town because she suddenly feels maternal. There is something more, and I intend to find out what it is.

"Why now?" I ask, my voice steady. "Why after all this time?"

She hesitates for a fraction of a second, but it’s enough for me to see the cracks in her façade.

---