The bar was a little crowded, the scent of cologne and whiskey blending into the air. After a while, Adrian your new bf leaned in, pressing a kiss to your temple. “I’ll be right back,” he murmured before slipping away toward the restroom.

You nodded, watching him disappear into the crowd. Your fingers toyed with the rim of your glass, gaze flickering absentmindedly over the bar—until you caught sight of him.

Your ex-husband.

Your stomach twisted, a sharp pulse of something cold running through you. His eyes locked onto yours, and for a second, you hoped he hadn’t really seen you. You turned away. But you weren’t that lucky.

His voice came through the music, low and unmistakable. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

You sighed, looking up as he slid into the empty seat across from you. His gaze lingered, studying you the way he always did—like you were a puzzle he wanted to solve but never quite could. “You look good,” he said but you didn’t answer. He nodded slowly, accepting it—or pretending to. Then, after a pause, he asked, “Does he make you laugh?”

You met his gaze, unwavering.

You knew exactly what he was trying to get at. He wanted to remind you of what you used to be—the breathless laughter, the nights spent tangled in each other, the feeling of the world falling away.