Behind My Ex-husband Cold Eyes

. She could hear him before she saw him- the sound of heavy footsteps, the slight rustle of fabric

began to flood her mind the moment she heard his voice again. His voice-the deep, controlled s

, and there he was- standing in the center of the room, framed by the light from the window. It was like no time had passed at all. He was s

different about him. Som

is name aloud. She didn't know if it was anger, fear, or the overwhelming flood o

who had once shared everything now standing on opposite sides of the room. He didn't move toward her, no

he'd once loved. The things she'd lost. She focused instead on his posture, the way he held himself so ca

y, he

low, almost a murmur. He sounded almost... surprised, as i

you doing here, Sebastian?" she asked, trying to keep her voice ste

softening just slightly. "I came

to let him see how deeply his words affected her. I

anger to her now. He lost the right to be her father when he walked away

eutral as possible. "You don't get to just show up af

her stomach twist. "I'm not pretending. I've had my reasons for

it. He didn't know the hell she'd been through raising Ivy on her own,

"You didn't want anything to do with me-or her-three years ago when you

stian's eyes flash with something akin to pain. But it was quickly rep

id, his voice low but firm. "I made a mistak

stand there and pretend you regret it. Because you don't. If you

e urge to break down. She wouldn't let him see her vulner

real. "I wasn't ready, Tiana. I couldn't be the man you needed me to be. I wasn't even ready to be the man I needed

"No. You don't get to do this. You don't get to just wa

e quieter now. "I'm not asking for your permission, Tiana

ed to live without him, had learned to trust herself and her instincts again. But now, standing in front o

swer, there was a soft

spered, her hear

doorway, rubbing her eyes sleepily. Her brown curls were tousl

looking up at Tian

r. She had to protect her, to shield her from the c

te. Sebastian had

Sebastian's, and for a mom

vy asked, her voice so

long as possible. She didn't know how to explain to her daughter that the ma

y's, and he crouched down to her level, his voice surprisingly gentle.

nger, disbelief, and sorrow flooding her chest.

sion and curiosity. "Father?" she repeated, testing t

ving Ivy. "Yes, sweetie. I'm your fa

elt paralyzed, unsure of how to protect her daughter from thi

s Sebastian, the man who had once vowed to love her, now knelt in front of their daughter,

saw the innocence in her daughter's eyes, and it broke her heart. She hadn't wanted Ivy to ever have to q

ut you left," she said, her voice trembling slightl

dn't hide her own bitterness. It was the truth, after all. The truth she'd spent years trying to shield Ivy from, t

ack up at Tiana, his eyes filled with guilt. "I know," he said quietly, his voice straine

"You didn't just leave, Sebastian. You abandoned us. You c

clouding her eyes. "But... why? If you're

na wanted to shield her daughter from the cruel truth, b

t ready to be a father. I was selfish, I thought I needed to focus on my work, my empire...

g to her too. He was trying to justify his abandonment, trying to make up for everything he'd done by offering a pi

her small hand hovering in the space between them. "I don't know," Ivy said softly, her voi

fusion clouding her judgment, but she also saw something else. Fear. Fear that she might hav

shoulders. She couldn't let this man waltz back into their lives a

ooked down at her daughter. "You don't have to make a decis

lace to decide anymore, Sebastian. You had your chance. You let your ca

His jaw tightened as he stood straighter, his chest rising

resolute. "I don't expect Ivy to welcome me with open arms, and I won't force anything. But

life for Ivy without Sebastian's interference. She'd fought battles that he would never understand, sacrificed pi

ana said, her voice growing firm, the protective instinct inside her taking over. "You abandoned us. You

ing for forgiveness, and I know I don't deserve it. But I want a chance to p

ay, to close the door on him forever, to protect Ivy from the damage he could do. But her heart-a part of he

it worth

r thoughts. "Mommy? Can we go see Grandpa

this moment. Ivy didn't deserve this chaos. She didn't deserve the confusion or th

r voice softening as she crouched down

m Sebastian just yet. He was still standing there, still watc

on, but she held his gaze steadily. "I don't know if you can ever be the man Ivy needs you to be. But

e room. Sebastian didn't try to stop her, but Tiana could feel h

shoulder at Sebastian one last time. "Will you be h

st as she waited for Sebastian's answer. Sh

e he gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "I'll be h

d and walked away, not knowin