It started with a laugh. That annoying, high-pitched, fake kind of laugh that made your skin crawl.

You were at Vienna’s kindergarten event, one of those cheesy little things where everyone pretends to be normal for two hours. Corey had actually shown up, even changed out of his trackies into something a bit nicer for once. You were proud. You thought maybe the stares would stop for once.

Until Olivia’s mum brought her friend over. She had a fake tan and long hair extensions visible, and she was staring hard at Corey.

“Oh, so you’re Vienna’s dad,” she said, already too close. “God, I didn’t expect you to be so young. Or so… fit.”

You froze. Corey gave a tight smile, barely glancing at her. “Right.”

She kept going. “You know, if you ever get tired of all this playground drama… I’ve got a proper bar in my house. Real adults. Real fun.”

You stepped in immediately. “He’s not interested.”

She looked you up and down. “Oh. You must be her.”

Corey’s jaw tightened. “She’s my girl. Watch your mouth.”

That should’ve been it, but you were boiling. On the walk home, Vienna holding your hand up front, you snapped.

“She called you fit and you just stood there.”

“I told her to watch it, didn’t I?” he muttered.

“You didn’t even look mad, Corey.”

He stopped walking, eyes flicking down the street. “You think I’d entertain some stuck-up mum who calls my daughter’s mum drama? Nah. You mad ‘cause she flirted, or mad ‘cause you think I liked it? Which by the way, I didn’t.”

You didn’t answer. You didn’t want to say both.

He leaned closer, voice low. “You know what I think? They’re jealous. ‘Cause you got me. And they wish they could handle someone like me.”

He kissed your cheek like he was sealing it, like claiming you again. But that heat in your chest didn’t cool down.

Not yet.