Page 82 of Sexting My Ex's Dad

“There’s no way that you’re asking me to be your girlfriend,” I scoff, shaking my head. “Owen, let me say this so that even you understand. There is absolutely nothing left between us. Even if I hadn’t found someone else…”

He cuts me off. “You’ve found someone else?” Why did I say that?

“Yes.”He doesn’t need to know who.I can only imagine the look on his face if he knew it was his dad.

“Didn’t I mean anything to you?”

He can’t be serious?

“Owen, do you have any idea what I went through?” I spit out, my voice shaking with anger and pain. “I worked two jobs, put my dreams on hold, just to support you. And then you left me without a second thought! You didn’t care about me or Leo. You left me high and dry with his bills by the way. And now you want to come crawling back? It’s too late! You’re too late.”

His jaw clenches, and I can see the regret in his eyes, but it’s too little, too late. “I’ll never stop fighting for you, Stella. I’m better than the other man, and I’ll prove it to you.”

Yeah I doubt that. “

I muster all my strength and slam the door in his face, cutting off his words, his apologies, and whatever else he might have said. The sound echoes through the apartment, resonating with the finality of my decision.

Leaning against the closed door, I try to steady my racing heart. A storm of emotions rages within me: anger, sadness, and perhaps a small trace of guilt. But there’s also relief.

How did he even find out where I lived? I guess it can’t be that hard whenthebillionaire bully is his dad.

“Time to move the heck out of here,” I whisper to myself.

I don’t need anymore surprise visits from my ex – who also happens to be my new boyfriend’s son.

What a mess.

48

ELIO

Iopen the door, so Stella can slide into my black SUV. I never really drive this car, always opting for something a little more expensive, but this seems like a good time. “I’m happy you’ve decided to move closer, Stella,” I tell her. “I can protect you a little bit better.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “It has nothing to do with me moving closer. You hated my apartment.”

She’s right. “Guilty.” I shrug. Her last apartment was horrible, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit scared every time I went to stay the night with her. I keep a gun in my car, but what good is that going to do if someone popped up in her apartment? At least my mansion is behind gates.

She tucks a strand of her long, wavy brown hair behind her ear. “I can’t believe you took off from work to help me. I could have done it on my own.”

“It’s not like it’s hard for me to take off,” I remind her. “I own the place. I can do whatever I want.”

“That’s right billionaire bully.”

I groan. “You know I’m not exactly sure I like that nickname.”

“Too late, you’re stuck with it.”

The first apartmentwe visit is a modern, open-concept loft with floor-to-ceiling windows that fill the space with light. Stella takes in every detail: the polished concrete floors, the sleek stainless steel appliances, and the exposed brick walls.

“Wow,” she breathes, her hazel eyes wide with wonder. “This place is beautiful.”

“It is?” I agree. But as we walk through the rooms, I sense her hesitation. She pauses at the windows, frowning slightly as she considers the busy street below.

“Is something wrong?” I ask.

Stella sighs, her fingers absently playing with a strand of her hair. “It’s just...I don’t know if I can see myself living here. It feels too...impersonal, maybe? Like it’s missing something.”

“Fair enough,” I say. “Let’s keep looking.”