I crossed my arms . " Since we're divorced , that's none of your business , right ? " 1/3 Chapter 11 +25 BONUS His jaw tightened . I could feel the tension in the air . It was always like this with him - tight , hot , dangerous . " Remarry me , " he said suddenly . " I already kicked Madeline out . " I almost laughed . " That will never happen , Finn . " Henry's eyes filled with tears . " Mom , you're not coming back ? " I shook my head . " I won't . " " Why ? I said I'm sorry , okay ? Isn't that enough ? " I crouched down in front of him . " Henry , apologies are important . But they don't fix everything . They can't erase all the hurt / " Behind me , Garrick stood . Ready . Watching . I felt Finn's steps come closer . He wasn't gonna let it end like this . " You're really choosing to spend the rest of your life with those two strangers ? " he snapped . I turned slowly . My voice was calm , but my hands were shaking . " What exactly were you expecting from me ? To just be the obedient wife who keeps her mouth shut about your betrayal ? Or the pathetic mother who tries to win back her son with fake smiles while getting humiliated every day ? " He didn't answer . " I found something real , " I said , more to myself than him . " And I finally realized … I was never meant to be someone else's shadow . " Henry looked between us , panicked . " We need you , Mom . Please . " I let out a long breath . " Oh , really ? When you walked Madeline into the hospital , did you need me ? When you defended her while I stood alone , did you need me ? When you told your teachers you hated me , did you need me ? " His face crumpled . " I'm sorry ! I'll never do that again . I swear ! You're my mom , my only mom ! " I broke . Tears rolled down my cheeks . Garrick stepped forward and handed me a tissue , his hand warm and steady . Finn narrowed his eyes . " Who the hell are you ? Think you can just insert yourself into my family's mess ? " Garrick didn't flinch . " I'm her friend . And honestly ? From where I stand , it looks like you're the one who threw her away . You don't get to act like the victim now . " Their standoff was seconds from exploding . I stepped in " Finn , take Henry and go . This is over . " " No ! Mom ! " Henry sobbed , his voice slicing through the quiet morning . Passersby started to slow down , curious . Finn glanced around , then leaned down and whispered to Henry " Let's go . Now . " Reluctantly , Henry followed him . But he kept looking back . Over and over . I stayed in Richmond after that . With Garrick and Cici They became my home . My real family . Not by blood , but by choice . I heard Finn was having some trouble with his business . Rumors said investors were pulling out , and alliances were crumbling . Henry ? My parents took him in . Gave him a stable home 273 Chapter 11 +25 BONUS One day , Dad called again . I didn't pick up . Garrick did . " Hello ? " " Who is this ? " Dad asked . Garrick looked over at me , smiled softly . " I'm family , " he said . Then hung up . Yeah , he's my family now . Outside , the sun was setting behind the Richmond hills , casting long shadows across the garden . Cici was chasing fireflies , her giggles rising like music through the open windows . Her hair had gotten longer . And sometimes , she'd call me Mama , and Garrick Dad . Love rewrites those rules . Oh , and sometimes I still had dreams about the old house . About Henry crying in that hospital bed . About Madeline's perfume lingering in rooms that used to be mine . About Finn . But they faded quicker these days . I wasn't a pawn in someone else's empire . I was just Jillian .