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"What the hell is going on?" Kara, Damion’s wife, hissed, staring open-mouthed at Jenny before turning to the others. They all shook their heads, equally puzzled, their gazes snapping back to Ellie.
Jenny wrenched herself free from Liana and turned fully to Ellie, grabbing her by the shoulders. Tears streamed down her face as she wailed, "I should’ve known! I hated you so much when you were living with Sawyer because I love you so much!"
And before Ellie could react, Jenny threw herself at her, wrapping her in a suffocating hug. Ellie’s brows knitted at her longing filled face, but she couldn’t hold back a laugh as she patted Jenny’s back soothingly.
"It’s alright, Jenny," she said, trying to calm her.
"It’s NOT alright!" Jenny suddenly pulled back—only to lunge forward, aiming straight for Ellie’s lips to kiss her.
But before she could make contact, Sawyer’s hand shot between them, blocking the kiss. With a firm shove, he pushed Jenny back, then yanked Ellie behind him protectively. His face twisted in anger as he snapped, "Jenelia, stop trying to steal my wife! It’s been twenty-five fucking years!"
Jenny glared at him, her pitiful sobs vanishing in an instant. With a dramatic huff, she crossed her arms and muttered, "I’m so pissed. I was the one acting as ‘X,’ telling Ellie your location every time you were with other women, trying to catch you cheating so she’d leave you. I thought Ellie was just living with you to steal our money and run away!"
She scoffed, flipping her hair. "But somehow, you never got caught. I should’ve just thrown you in bed with some woman to make it happen. Then I wouldn’t have to see this tragic day, and Ellie would be mine!"
Silence.
Then the entire group of friends lost it. Laughter erupted, echoing around them.
Ellie’s head snapped toward Jenny in shock.
"You were ‘X’?!"
Sawyer, however, looked like his last shred of self-control had finally snapped. Without thinking, he lunged at Jenny, ready to throw a punch. But at the last second, Ellie grabbed his arm, pulling him back.
"Hey! Stop it!" she scolded.
"She’s trying to steal you," he growled.
Ellie lifted her hand in front of his face. "I’m married to you. I’m not going anywhere."
Sawyer’s gaze dropped to the ring on her finger, then back to her face. His anger faded, replaced by a smug smirk. He turned to Jenny, grinning triumphantly, before opening the car door for Ellie.
Jenny continued to glare, utterly pissed at his self-satisfaction. Meanwhile, the laughter around her only grew louder as the limo drove off, disappearing into the night.
***
Ten Years Later
A three-year-old boy ran inside the Stark house after playing outside in the evening, his giggles echoing through the halls as he made his way to his room.
"Alex!" Sawyer called out, immediately setting his laptop aside the moment he saw the boy.
The little boy stopped in his tracks, the ball in his hands slipping to the ground as he turned around.
"Come to Daddy." Sawyer smiled, wiggling his fingers to call him closer.
Alex slowly walked over, hesitant but curious. The moment he was within reach, Sawyer lifted him into his lap and gently pinched his chubby cheeks.
"Call me Daddy."
Alex squinted his eyes at him, pouting before shaking his head. "No."
Sawyer narrowed his eyes at the little boy. Ever since he was born, Alex rarely paid attention to him. He only ever ran after Ellie, his little feet pattering around the house as he followed her like a shadow. The sound of "Mommy!" and "Ellie!" echoed all day long from the two Stark men in the house—one big and one small.
Recently, the boy had become even more difficult. He insisted on sleeping with Ellie every night. Just last night, when Sawyer stole Ellie away to their room, Alex had woken up in the morning and burst into tears upon realizing she wasn’t there. He cried so much that Ellie had to promise to sleep only with him tonight.
Sawyer hid his amused smile, noticing that the little boy was still glaring at him with puffed-up cheeks.