Page 120 of Wilde Ride

Her eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I swore she was about to lunge at me and scratch my eyes out. Then she focused on Levi, and a sugary fake smile appeared on her face. “You are my husband, Levi. I haven’t signed the divorce papers yet. And if you want your little plaything to hear this, then fine—I don’t want a divorce. I want to try to work things out.”

A loud bark of laughter came from Levi. It was devoid of any emotion whatsoever. “You’re out of your damn mind, Caroline. I want nothing to do with you. Rhett and I have moved on, and you need to do the same.”

“With her?” she asked, pointing a perfectly manicured finger in my direction. “She’s what, ten years younger than you? My God, Levi. I remember watching her follow you around like a lost puppy. You can’t seriously think you can replace me with…with a child!”

“Excuse me?” I said as I took a step forward. “I do have a name, and I’ve never followed anyone around like a lost puppy. That would be you, darling—when you followed Caden, desperate for his attention. And for your information, I’m not ten years younger.”

Caroline’s lip snarled before she smirked. “The little girl has grown up and grown a pair of balls.”

Levi took a step toward Caroline. “I want you to get back into your car and leave.”

“We need to talk first,” she argued, folding her arms over her chest.

Motioning with his hands toward her, Levi said, “Fine, talk.”

“Not outside, Levi.”

He sighed. “Yes, outside, Caroline.”

She looked as if she might panic. Then she blurted, “I want to see Rhett.”

“He’s not here, and if you want visitation rights, go back to the judge whom you explicitly told you didn’t want to be a mother anymore and see if he’ll change his mind.”

“I was grieving, Levi! My head wasn’t in the right place.”

He nodded. “Okay,” he said, his voice quieter and calmer. “Then do what you’re supposed to do—go through your lawyer, set up a court date, and get visitation. I told you if you wanted to see him, you could, but only if you did it the right way.”

“To see my own son?”

“You can’t just decide one day you no longer want to be a mother, then months later decide you do. It doesn’t work that way.”

She huffed and looked around in the darkness. “I want a second chance with both of you. I want to have another baby.”

I blinked several times in surprise. When Levi didn’t say anything, clearly shocked, I knew I had to leave. I trusted him, but a small part of me was terrified Caroline would get her claws into him again.

Clearing my throat, I said, “I’m going to bring the ice cream in.”

“Yes, you go do that,” Caroline spat.

Levi walked over to me. He leaned down and brushed a kiss on my cheek. “I’m sorry. I’ll be right in.”

I smiled. “It’s okay. Take your time.”

He wore a pained expression. I was silently thanking God Rhett wasn’t home. He would be so confused right now.

Giving Caroline one last look, I turned and headed through the garage and into the house. After putting everything away, I pulled out my phone.

Me: Caroline showed up at Levi’s house.

Moreen: SHUT UP!

Kate: Wait, what?

Lilibeth: Who’s Caroline?

Ensley: Want me to come and kick her ass and haul her back to the depths of hell?

Lilibeth: Someone tell me who Caroline is? Oh wait…Levi’s ex?!