Chapter 310

That surprised me. Nathan’s usual route home from work shouldn’t have taken him anywhere near my place. Had he gone out of his way just to swing by? The thought made me smirk. He was full of little maneuvers like this.

“Yeah, just got back. You’re downstairs?” I asked.

“Mhm. Just left the office,” he replied smoothly.

Since I didn’t feel like eating alone, I invited him to join me. Nathan waited at the entrance of my complex, leaning casually against his car. “What are you craving? At this hour, it’s pretty much just late-night snacks,” he said with a grin.

I remembered a place I used to love; their fish slices and beef were excellent. I gave him the name, and Nathan directed his driver to take us there. It was a bit of a drive, near the villa where I used to live.

Though Nathan and I had grown closer the last time we met, days had passed since then, and some of that initial ease had faded.

I could tell he wanted to reach for my hand, but he hesitated. So I deliberately swung mine toward him. Nathan chuckled low in his throat before his warm, broad fingers closed around mine.

When we arrived, the restaurant was still lively. Nathan and I stepped out of the car, chatting as we walked inside.

The owner recognized me. I used to bring Yvonne here often, though Jared rarely joined us, so he wouldn’t be familiar with my ex-husband.

The moment we entered, the owner’s eyes widened. “Mrs. Holcomb! Is this Mr. Holcomb?”

Before I could respond, a familiar voice rang out from across the room. “Mom! You’re back?”

Nathan and I both stiffened, turning toward the sound. In a corner booth, Jared and Sally sat with Yvonne, halfway through their meal.

My mind blanked for a split second, but I quickly recovered. “Order something first,” I murmured to Nathan. “I’ll go say hello.”

Nathan nodded, then added quietly, “Maybe I should come with you.”

“Fine.” So we walked over together.

Jared’s gaze burned into me like he wanted to tear me apart. He must have thought I’d lied to him, promising I wouldn’t return to Hachester, only to show up at night with another man.

Yvonne looked pale, propping herself up weakly. “Mom, this is Nathan, right? We met before.”

Nathan smiled at her. “Hey there.”

Sally’s eyes bulged, darting between me, Jared, and Nathan before she blurted, “What’s going on between you two?”

Nathan faltered, unsure how to respond. I didn’t hesitate. “Sally, he’s my boyfriend now.”

Jared’s expression darkened further. In a dangerously low voice, he turned to Yvonne. “You done eating? We’re leaving.”

Yvonne immediately pouted. “Daddy, I want to stay and eat a little longer with Mom. I’m not finished yet.”

Jared looked like he was about to explode, but he forced his temper down. “Fine. Then your mother can bring you home later.” He stood abruptly and said to Sally, “Mom, let’s go.”

Sally shot up from her seat, jabbing a finger at me. “Victoria, did you plan this? Did you bring your little fling here just to ruin our dinner?”

Nathan’s face flushed crimson at the word “fling.”

Heads turned in our direction. I leveled a cool stare at Jared. “Do you really want to make a scene right now?”

Jared’s jaw tightened. “Mom, enough. Let’s go.”

Sally, now aware of the unwanted attention, shot me one last venomous glare before storming out after Jared.

I turned to Yvonne with a frown. “Why didn’t you go with your dad?”

“Mom, I haven’t seen you in days,” she said, her big eyes pleading. “I just wanted to spend time with you.”

Sighing, I scooped her up and carried her to another table. She rested her head on my shoulder and whispered, “Mom, I got a shot today. And I didn’t cry this time.”

I hummed in acknowledgment but said nothing.

Then, in an even smaller voice, she added, “Mom… Grandma said Tracy’s going to move in with us soon. What’s going to happen to you?”

My expression flickered, but I kept my voice steady. “Is that so? Well, then you should be nice to Tracy. She might be your new mom someday.”