Page 112 of Backup Plan

“How did this happen?”

I clear my throat. “I guess I realized that more time with the kids was never what he wanted. He only cares about money and power. And now he gets to have that, and I get to have my boys without ever having to deal with Brent again. To me, that’s the real win.”

“I commend you for that,” he says. “I’ll be in touch.”

True to his word, he emails a link to digitally sign the paperwork a few hours later. I read through it on my lunch break, and it’s exactly what we agreed to.

I click the button to sign it virtually, and I feel a sense of relief that’s so overwhelming, I break down and cry right there at my desk.

A few people ask if I’m all right, and the truth is…yes and no. Yes, because this nightmare with Brent is about to be over.

But no, because I’m still incomplete.

I miss Liam. Fiercely.

And once this mess with Brent is over, maybe I’ll figure out some way to get Liam back.

My phone rings about an hour after I sign off on the paperwork, and it’s Everleigh calling. I wait to call her back until I’m in the car on the way to pick up the boys.

“Pennywise!” she answers.

“You know that’s not my favorite,” I mutter.

“Sorry, Penguin,” she amends.

“That’s better. What’s up, Beverly?”

“Did you know Izzy had the baby?”

“What?” I gasp.

“On Thursday.”

“Shit! Three days ago? I hadn’t heard! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I’m so sorry. Mav and I took a quick trip to Mexico, and I was off the grid a few days. I didn’t think I’d miss the birth of my first niece, but she came early.”

“I should call Liam. Right? I should see if he needs anything.” I hear the questioning in my own tone. I’m not sure if I should call him or if that would be interrupting his time with his new baby girl.

I don’t even know what he decided to name her. I don’t know if he got everything he needed. I don’t even know if he has help. But I also don’t know if I should be interrupting him when he’s just getting his feet under him as a new dad.

“Is he okay? Is the baby?” I ask before she can get a word in edgewise.

“He’s okay, and the baby is perfect. How are you doing?”

“Well, miserable and ecstatic at the same time,” I admit.

“Miserable because of…?”

“Liam.” Just saying his name causes my voice to crack a little.

“Obviously. And the joy?”

“Earlier today I signed the final agreement that we’re submitting to the judge to finally be out of this thing with Brent.”

“Holy shit, Pen! Are you serious?”

“I am.” It’s harder telling the good news to Everleigh without being able to tell Liam, and I hate that this is where I am. He’s still in my mind and stamped on my heart, which makes it awfully damn hard not to think about him when I’m talking to her. Especially since I want to know every detail about the birth, the baby, and Liam as a dad…all things I don’t feel comfortable asking the woman who is supposed to be my best friend. The woman I always shared everything with until her younger brother became part of the equation.