Ch. Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 44 Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 44

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Chapter 4 

Late that night, I finally got Annie to sleep. 

Then I heard it. Laughter from next door. His voice. Hers. 

“You know I can’t stand going half a day without seeing you. Why’d you ghost me like that?” 

Grayson’s voice came through the wall. 

“Maybe because you picked that boring housewife over me?” 

Claire’s voice was sweet. Fake-innocent. 

“I’m sorry, okay?” 

“Sorry for what?” 

“For… not seeing you all day?” 

“That’s it?” 

She paused. Her voice dropped lower. 

“You gonna make it up to me or what?” 

“I’m not as easy as your little wife, Grayson…” 

“How about this? Better?” 

“Jesus-are you a dog? Easy, you’re gonna leave marks!” 

The man who swore they were “just friends” sounded like he was trying to devour her alive. 

The bed slammed against the wall. Over and over. 

His breathing. Her screaming. 

Every sound hammered straight into my skull. 

My phone buzzed. 

Chapter 4 

Unknown number. One photo. 

Grayson’s face buried in Claire’s neck. His bare shoulders covered in scratches. 

My hand shook so hard I almost dropped the phone. 

I thought I was ready for this. 

I wasn’t. 

I don’t know how I got through that night. Don’t remember falling asleep. 

I woke up to Annie screaming. 

Claire was standing over her crib. Shoving something into Annie’s mouth. 

My daughter was gagging. Foaming at the mouth. 

I lost it. 

I lunged. Grabbed Claire by the hair. Yanked her away from the crib. 

She stumbled. Hit the floor. 

I was on top of her in a second. Slapping her over and over. 

“You bitch! What did you do to her?!” 

Then someone ripped me off. 

I slammed into the ground. Hard. 

Something in my back cracked. 

“Natalie-are you out of your fucking mind?!” 

Grayson stood over me. Shielding Claire like I was the threat. 

“She was feeding Annie. Why the hell would you hit her?!” 

I dragged myself up using the table. Stared at him like I didn’t know who he was anymore. 

“You really think she was feeding her? After what she did with that dead squirrel?” 

My voice broke. 

Chapter 4 

“Or is it because you slept with her last night that you don’t care what happens to your own kid?” 

SLAP. 

His hand cracked across my face. 

“You’re insane!” 

“What the hell did Claire ever do to you? Why do you keep making shit up about her?!” 

I looked at him. Really looked at him. 

There was nothing left. 

I grabbed Annie. Walked out. 

Thirty minutes later, after calming Claire down, Grayson searched the entire hospital. 

We were gone. 

Finally, he texted me. 

“Not playing hide and seek with you. Claire’s bday is in 2 days. Show up. Apologize. Then we move on.” 

I didn’t answer. 

I got on a plane. 

Two days later, Grayson rented out an entire rooftop restaurant for Claire’s birthday. 

“Grayson… is Natalie still mad at me? Is that why she didn’t come?” 

Claire leaned into him. Her leg brushing against his under the table. 

“She wouldn’t dare. Girl sold flowers on the street. Now she thinks she’s too good for us?” 

One of Grayson’s buddies laughed. “You said it, man. She better show up and bow three times to Claire. Apologize for the party and the hospital. Can’t let that slide.” 

Grayson stared at his phone. Message still on read. 

He started typing. 

“Natalie, my patience is running-” 

Before he could finish, every phone in the room buzzed. 

Mr. Chatterbox for Her. Mr. Iceberg for Me? Ice Melts, and So Did My Love! 

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