Sebastian assured me not to sweat it, that he'd sort things out for our daughter.

Turns out, after pulling the footage, a teacher at the daycare wasn't just roughing up Selena, but also egging on the other kids to ice her out.

I demanded the preschool can the teacher. The principal stammered that the teacher was BFFs with Valentina and it was a tough spot for him.

Sebastian, hearing this, had Valentina swoop in personally to handle it, demanding answers.

Selena spilled that she'd actually told Sebastian about this before. He'd tasked Valentina with looking into it, but she'd totally brushed it off, even calling Selena a little fibber. The next day, Selena got it even worse from the teacher.

She’d been too scared to tell me these past few days, worried about causing me more drama.

If I hadn't been running late to pick her up today, and if the eagle-eyed Benjamin hadn't clocked that something was off, I'd still be clueless.

I hit up the cops immediately and yanked Selena from that school. Sebastian tried to block me, and I went off on him, screaming:

"If you can't protect our daughter, then I will!"

And with that, I grabbed my daughter and bounced.

The next day, I filed for divorce.

I slapped the evidence of my daughter's abuse and bullying on the judge's desk, secured full custody of Selena, and got my divorce papers from Sebastian.

Our marriage, after all those years, officially called it quits.

Holding the divorce decree, a wave of uncertainty washed over me.

Six years dating, eight years married – I’d poured the best of my life into him.

But now that it was all done, I mostly felt relief, like a massive weight had been lifted.

Benjamin was waiting for me outside the courthouse, flower bouquet in hand.

Sunflowers, no less. Total symbol of hope and new beginnings.

It would be fake to pretend I hadn't noticed his feelings. He'd been solid to me and adored my daughter, but I wasn't about to jump into anything new.

No way was I ready for a new relationship.

I took the flowers, joking, "You bringing these... so Selena can snack on the seeds?"

Benjamin, though shy, was sharp. He got the hint but didn't push it, just mentioning he had another gift for Selena and wanted to treat her to a Broadway show this summer.

He was nervously licking his lips as he said it. I knew he was really trying to ask me out.

But I gave him a firm no, on behalf of my daughter.

I'd promised Selena a trip this summer to make up for my screw-ups and just… chill. To finally unchain the soul Sebastian had locked up.

Now that I was finally free, I was ready to live it up.

But I’d forgotten one crucial detail: Sebastian never went down without a fight.

The oh-so-esteemed Mr. Walker, blocking my doorway, using the "growing daughter needs her dad" excuse, wanted to remarry me.

I swear, the man was delusional.

His young, hot secretary was literally waiting for him, and he was begging forgiveness from me, the washed-up has-been.

Sebastian stood there, looking completely drained. I'd never seen him like this; it was like his very essence had been siphoned away.

He wasn't the icy, imposing CEO anymore. He was a humbled beggar.

It flashed me back to the Sebastian who used to bend over backward to impress me, who'd orchestrate "chance" encounters, who fretted if I was the least bit unhappy.

He was even more broken, more pathetic now.

"Natalie… I know it’s my bad. I was too caught up in work and let you slide. Please, just one more shot?"

"Sebastian, people move on. Divorcing you wasn't some spur-of-the-moment decision. We checked out a long time ago. This funk you're in is just you adjusting. Me? I got used to this life ages ago, swimming in your indifference. Sebastian, you don't need reconciliation; you need to get with the program."

Looking at him, I saw a reflection of my past self.

I used to cling to the hope we had, fighting tooth and nail to keep him.

But his icy demeanor had chipped away at my passion and patience.

Now, he thought there was still a spark, while my heart had long since turned to dust.

"Selena's still little. She can't grow up without a father. Give me a chance, for her, okay? I really can't lose you."

"But she never really had your fatherly love in the first place. Losing it or having it makes zero difference to her, right? And as for whether you can lose me… what's that got to do with me?"

"But I…"

Selena peeked out from behind me, eyes wide, giving Sebastian a timid glance. She latched onto my leg, but her body language towards him screamed hostility.

She was my protector.

"See? Neither Selena nor I want you here. You should go."

I shut the door, but I knew Sebastian wouldn't just pack up and leave.

Every time I’d ventured out these past few days, Sebastian was waiting downstairs. He just watched from a distance, never daring to step closer.

Just like when we were teens.

It was almost a joke. Back then, my words went in one ear and out the other. Now, he hung on my every syllable.