Three years had passed in the blink of an eye.

Once again, Everett Harrison was losing his mind because Hailey Silva just had to go out. The toddler’s shrill, non-stop screaming only fueled his rage. They had replayed this same scene more times than he cared to count.

"Can you just stay home and be a mother for once? He’s your son, not a stranger’s."

Hailey stood in the foyer, already in her heels, her designer bag swinging from her shoulder.

"Don’t we have a nanny? If she’s not enough, send him to your mother. He’s her grandson, isn’t he? Who else is going to watch him if she doesn’t?" She didn’t miss a beat. "You made some pretty promises about me just having to provide the heir. What’s the matter, Everett? Can’t keep your word?"

Everett, who had a board meeting in twenty minutes, juggled the hysterical toddler with one arm while trying to shout over the noise.

"My mother is an elderly woman. She’s meeting friends for brunch today—she doesn't have the energy for this! Hailey, look at yourself. You’re married now. Running around town every single day—do you have any shred of self-respect left as a wife?"

Hailey just walked out the door without looking back.

"If you hate it so much, just sign the divorce papers. I’m done dealing with this!"

Hailey wasn’t actually stupid enough to believe she would ever let him go through with a divorce. Even if Victoria Harrison had cooled on her lately, Hailey wasn’t naive enough to have signed a prenup. If they split, she would walk away with half of the Harrison fortune. Besides, their son was the heir to the family empire. She was winning, no matter how you looked at it.

The toddler’s wails continued to pierce the air, vibrating against the mahogany walls.

Everett suddenly felt a sharp, hollow ache in his chest—a memory of his life with Evelyn Bennett.

Back then, the house had been an oasis of order. He never had to lift a finger. Everything just… happened. If things were still the way they were with her, he could focus entirely on his career. He’d come home to a hot, gourmet meal. He could go out with the guys whenever he wanted, without a single soul clinging to his time or his conscience.

That life, he realized with a sinking weight, was gone. And it wasn't coming back.