All Chapters of You Had Your Chance: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

I gave Damian a light pat on the shoulder, and he snuggled closer to me."Mommy, when are we going to Grandma's?" he asked. "I don't want to be here anymore.""Soon. We'll head over once we get you out of kindergarten," I said. "Damian, I just need to ask you one more time—are you okay with me getting a divorce from your dad?""Yeah. Daddy doesn't like me, so I don't want to like him either."I felt a lump in my throat. I held him close, comforting him until he finally drifted off. Just as I was about to doze off, my phone rang.I checked the screen and there were several messages from an unknown number. But the photos and videos attached to the mocking messages made it clear who it was—Olivia.In the video, Walter was telling Aaron a story, his voice calm and gentle. Olivia's voice popped in every now and then. They looked like the perfect little family.Walter had never done anything like that for Damian.Since Damian was born, Walter had never played with him or read him a b

Walter sounded urgent like he was trying to squeeze in celebrating Damian's birthday between a million other things.I watched Damian laughing happily and said casually, "I took him to my mom's."Walter seemed caught off guard. "When did you leave? Why didn't you say anything?""While you were busy celebrating someone else's kid's birthday," I replied, sounding like it was no big deal.Walter sighed. "Bella, I didn't realize it was also Aaron's birthday. His parents are divorced, and it's tough for his mom to raise him on her own. I just wanted to do something nice for him. Tomorrow, I'll pick you and Damian up and make it up to him. Sound good?"I suddenly felt warm all over, so I stepped outside and sank into the swing in the yard.I stared up at the starry sky and said flatly, "Walter, I've thought about this for a long time. Let's get a divorce. I'll keep Damian."Walter and I had met through mutual friends. The first time I saw him, I felt this flutter in my chest that I co

Olivia's expression turned sour. She gave Aaron a sharp pinch at his side. In the very next second, he burst into a thunderous wail.Then, Olivia shot a distressed look at Walter. "Walt, just look at Aaron. He's been crying so much lately. Let's take him to the hospital, shall we?"Walter hesitated.Just then, two figures—one tall and one small—walked in through the entrance."Mommy!" Damian waddled over to me as fast as his little legs could carry him. He was completely focused on me, not even noticing Walter, Olivia, or Aaron were around."How'd you get here? Did you enroll in a kindergarten yet?" I asked.Damian nodded. "Uncle Cedric was super quick. He even brought someone along, and that guy said he knows you.""A guy? Who?"Cedric rubbed his nose."It's been a while, Bell," a deep, smooth voice said.I turned toward the sound, and my breath caught. The guy standing before me was tall, with strikingly good looks. Before I knew it, he was right in front of me."You don'

Walter's lips were pressed tightly together, and his fists clenched hard at his sides.I was so tired of even saying the word "divorce" again.I wouldn't allow Walter to come near Damian anymore, and I wasn't about to let him show up around our place. My decision to end this marriage was final. I asked Damian if he thought I was being too heartless, but he shook his head. "I think having a different dad would be pretty awesome," he said. The car fell silent. After a beat, Skyler smiled and asked, "Damian, how would you feel if I became your dad?"Damian let out an excited gasp. "That would be so cool!"My face turned red, and I suddenly couldn't find my words.Just then, the car screeched to a sudden halt. I instinctively shielded Damian, and my forehead hit the seat in front with a dull thud. Before I could steady myself, I heard panicked voices outside the window. "Oh my God, call 911!""This is horrible! Are they okay?""That car just sped right over like it had a dea