Chapter 10 The phone got slammed down hard, leaving nothing but a dial tone. Hunter stood there clutching his phone, all the color draining from his face. He'd just lost me and Flora, and now even his supposed backup plan was cutting him off just as brutally. "No… no way…" He frantically dialed the number again. This time the phone picked up right away. But before Hunter could say a word, Alice's psychotic voice came screaming through: "Hunter Steven! Are you fucking brain-damaged? Can't you understand English? I told you to fuck off! The only reason I was with you was because you acted all classy and loaded back then!" "And here's a fun fact for you-my daughter isn't even yours, you dumb fuck! You've been playing daddy to some random dude's kid for years like a complete sucker!" Hunter looked like he'd been struck by lightning. His eyes snapped toward me and Flora. My heart jumped into my throat. I immediately pushed Flora behind me, yanked open the door of our car parked nearby, shoved Flora into the backseat, and jumped into the driver's seat. "Mommy…" Flora's face was ghostly white. She was obviously terrified by that woman's screaming and the look on Hunter's face. "It's okay, sweetheart, buckle up. We're going home." I started the engine, trying to keep my voice steady, but my knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel so hard. In the rearview mirror, I could see Hunter still standing there like a statue. His face wasn't angry anymore-it was completely hollow. A few weeks later, I saw a news story on my phone. Hunter was dead. Along with Alice and the kid who'd been using my daughter's name. But the nightmare didn't end there. The police report was brutal in its details. Hunter had snapped completely after our divorce was finalized. He'd gone to that retired teacher's house where he'd been keeping my real Flora. The neighbors reported hearing screaming, then gunshots. When they found the bodies, my little girl was clutching her favorite stuffed rabbit-the one I'd given her for her fourth birthday. The funeral was a blur of black clothes and meaningless condolences. People kept saying things like "She's in a better place now" and "At least she's not suffering anymore." I wanted to scream at them all. Flora hadn't been suffering because of some illness-she'd been murdered by her own father because he couldn't handle losing his meal ticket. Three months after the funeral, I packed two suitcases and bought a one-way ticket to Paris. I had no plan. I just needed to be somewhere that didn't smell like my daughter's shampoo or echo with her voice calling "Mommy, look what I made!" That's when I met Arthur Bridgewater. He was sitting alone at a café near the Seine, reading a book in French while sipping an espresso. Everything about him was the opposite of Hunter-quiet confidence instead of desperate charm. I started meeting him at that café every day. He never asked about my past, never demanded explanations for my sudden silences or the way I'd sometimes stop mid-sentence when a child's laughter reminded me of Flora. Arthur was safe. He was kind. He was there. When he asked me to marry him after only two months, I said yes. Not because I loved him-I'm not sure I was capable of love anymore. My heart had been buried with my daughter. But because I was drowning in grief and he was offering me a life preserver. He was older, established, with a successful law practice and a beautiful house in the 16th arrondissement. He promised me security, stability, a chance to start over. I thought that was enough. I thought I could build a life on gratitude and companionship. I was wrong-our marriage was polite. Respectful. Completely empty. And finally exploded that day. 7 Title: ReelTalk EP 40 - Contract Lovers & Heartbreak CrushReel's ongoing romance series, Miss You After Goodbye, continues to captivate on the latest ReelTalk episode. Haley Lohrli dives into her daring new character, while Ben and Josh share insights into their own memorable roles, promising a blend of laughter and heartwarming moments. Exploring themes of love, loss, and unexpected connections, this episode delves deep into the intricate relationships that drive the narrative forward. As the stars reveal their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie, viewers are in for a treat with each unfolding scene. What sets this episode apart is its ability to balance humor with poignant storytelling, offering a refreshing take on modern romance dynamics. Dive into the world of Contract Lovers & Heartbreak, available to read at CrushReel for a journey that promises both entertainment and emotional resonance.