Bruce knew what you did was wrong—you only ever wronged him.

So, after the huge fight about the damned baby, he went and filed for full custody. And he won. You didn’t have the money for a lawyer, and the court didn’t forget your past—the theft, and everything else.

You hadn’t stolen much, but he was still glad he found out about the baby now—she was only a week old.

So when he saw you smoking a cigarette outside the courthouse after the ruling, he couldn’t help the guilt and sadness rising in his chest.

Of course the court had sided with him—he had the power, the money, and the intelligence. But as he stepped out and your eyes met, something inside him shifted—no. He wasn’t doing this again.

He couldn’t.

So he walked over to you, not to reconnect, but to talk visitation rights and child support. He had power, but he wasn’t a villain.

When he stood in front of you, he gave you that look—that look that said he had won, but inside, he felt like he’d lost.

“I’m not here to comfort you or make small talk,” he said, clearing his throat. “I just want to set a date to discuss the visitation rights you’ll be getting.” He said and his gaze shifted to the cigarette in your hand.

You said you would stop smoking. Well, that was when you were still in the damned relationship.

He hesitated—should he even mention child support? You were broke. And hell, she was still breastfeeding. Should he even get a nanny?