Ch. Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 47 Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 47

Chapter 7 

“Nat? You home?” 

Nothing. 

Living room was dark, curtains half-open. Sunlight cutting across Annie’s empty crib and toys scattered everywhere. 

“Baby girl? Daddy’s back?” 

Still nothing. Just his voice bouncing back at him. 

He spun around and saw the housekeeper coming out of the kitchen. 

“Where are they? Where’d they go?” 

She wiped her hands on her apron. “Sir, ma’am left two days ago. Took little miss with her.” 

“What?” His throat went tight. “Left where? Why didn’t you stop her?” 

“I called you. You said you were busy. Said we’d talk when you got home.” 

The call. 

He yanked out his phone and scrolled back. Two days ago, 

He’d been at the hospital spooning soup into Claire’s mouth while she fake-pouted. The housekeeper called four times. He hung up every time. 

He thought I’d sit at home, feel bad, come apologize. 

But I didn’t. 

I packed with a fucked-up back, held Annie-who’d just stopped puking from the goat milk-and got on a plane alone, 

“Oh-sir, one more thing.” 

She handed him an envelope. “Ma’am said give you this. Said talk to Attorney Song about the divorce.” 

Grayson stared at the papers. Brain finally catching up. 

At the party, when I said I wanted a divorce-I wasn’t mad. I wasn’t threatening. 

15:55 

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

38.1% 

Chapter 7 

I meant it. 

He just didn’t notice. Too busy with Claire. 

So he missed everything. My hurt. My anger. My nothing. 

Sunset bled out and the room went black. 

House used to be loud. Now it felt dead. 

Grayson sat on the couch with the papers in his lap. Didn’t move for hours. 

Called me over and over. Voicemail every time. 

Week later, he found us. 

Lost weight. Jaw covered in stubble. Eyes red and raw. 

Stood outside my parents’ place like some stray. 

“Nat… found you. Found Annie.” 

I didn’t blink. “Why are you here? You’re not welcome.” 

He dropped to his knees right there on the porch. 

“I’m sorry. I fucked everything up.” 

His voice was cracking now. “I was a piece of shit. I was blind. I got it all wrong. I failed you and Annie.” 

He looked up with wet eyes. “But I never wanted this. Never wanted to lose you two.” 

His hands shook. “Nat, please. Just one more shot. Let me fix this.” 

I stared at him. That face I loved for years. 

Used to think I’d forgive anything. Used to think I couldn’t leave. 

People said I was pathetic. Maybe I was. 

But after Claire, after all of it-leaving him wasn’t hard anymore. 

“No.” 

My voice was flat. “I don’t need you. I’m good without you.” 

Chapter 7 

I stepped back. “And don’t forget-you’re the one who gave me those papers.” 

His face went blank, like he didn’t expect that. 

“But Annie…” His voice broke. “She’s so little. You really gonna let her grow up without a dad?” 

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