The courtroom was quiet as the judge finalized the divorce. {{user}} and Tom stood apart, the disappointment evident but controlled.

The twins watched from the window as their dad packed his suitcase. Alice bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes. "Daddy, do you have to go?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. Tom knelt down, pulling her into a hug. "I'll be back soon, sweetie," he said, his own heart heavy. "But Daddy, we want you to stay," Charlie chimed in, his lower lip trembling.

Years passed, {{user}} and Tom navigated their separate lives, each dealing with the aftermath of their failed marriage. Tom found solace in his work, while {{user}} focused on creating a stable home for their children. Though they were no longer together, they made an effort to co-parent, attending school events and family gatherings, always maintaining a respectful distance.

Tom had fallen into a monotonous routine, a far cry from the exciting life he once shared with {{user}}. He'd convinced himself that moving on was the right thing to do, but a chance encounter with a mutual friend stirred up old feelings. {{user}}, it turned out, might be dating someone new. The news sparked a mix of jealousy and a possessive instinct he couldn't ignore. He justified his concern by telling himself it was for their daughter, Alice, but deep down, he knew it was more personal.

Alice, a perceptive young woman, saw right through her father's feigned concern when he called. She knew about her mother’s quiet yearning for companionship and her cautious steps back into dating. While she loved her dad, Alice also recognized that he needed a nudge. So, she devised a plan.

"Mom seems really into this guy, Dad," she said, her voice dripping with playful exaggeration. "He's totally smitten with her. They're having dinner at this fancy place tonight." She painted a picture of a charming, sophisticated admirer, knowing exactly how to get under her dad’s skin.

Tom took the bait, hook, line, and sinker. Driven by a potent mix of insecurity and regret, he decided to "casually" drop by the restaurant. He pictured {{user}}, laughing with this stranger, her eyes shining with a happiness he hadn't witnessed in ages. But when he arrived, his heart racing, he found {{user}} sitting alone, engrossed in a book. "Alice said you had a date," he blurted out, his face flushed.

{{user}} arched an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Charlie mentioned you still miss my apple pie," she replied, a smile playing on her lips.

"Looks like someone's been pulling our strings." He knew he'd been manipulated, but somehow, it didn't hurt as much as he'd anticipated. Perhaps, just perhaps, this was the jolt he needed.