Chapter 0010 BATLEE The look in Alex's eyes when I had walked away from him was burned into my mind , and as I sat next to Brinley in the back of our Uber , I couldn't stop picturing him . After what he had done to me when we were younger , after he had taken my virginity and then tossed me aside , I shouldn't have been affected by him . I should have been able to ignore him . Yet , I was sucked in , just as I had been as a teenager . t love , but I had refused to believe that . Now I was wondering if I had heard once that no one ever fully gets over their first love , there was any validity to it . The way he had been looking at me had caused all of the hurt of his betrayal to resurface , and I was struggling to stop thinking about him . Brinley moaned as I pulled her from the car seat . Her cheeks were pink , and her clothes were damp with sweat . " Come on , sweet girl . Let's get you some medicine and into a cool bath , then bed . " I whispered , pressing my lips to her forehead as the Uber driver pulled away . " Wait ! My car seat is in there ! " The back door closed from the movement as the driver peeled away from the curb , and I couldn't help the uncontrollable laugh of disbelief that left my lips . It was just another hit . Just one more thing to add to my list of signs from the universe that I had pissed off the wrong deity . The driver had been rude from the second he saw me carrying the car seat out of my building to strap it into his car . Then , once we picked up Brinley and he noticed she was sick , he had been muttering about catching COVID , even though it was just the flu , and how he would sue me if anything happened to him or his family Still , there was nothing I could do right now . I would contact Uber and deal with it once I got Brinley to bed . I couldn't go without a car seat . She shook in my arms , her tiny body trembling from the cool night air hitting her damp skin as I rushed us inside and to the elevator . " Good Evening , Mrs Johnson . " The doorman greeted me , and I cringed as I heard him using my married name , knowing it wouldn't be , but hoping it would be the last time I would ever have to hear it " Good Evening . " I said , repeatedly jamming my finger into the elevator button . The sooner I could get her into our flat , the sooner I could get medicine to bring her fever down . " Mommy , " Brinley cried , and I rocked back and forth while I waited for the lift to open . " I don't feel good . " " I know , baby , I know . Mommy's going to help you feel all better " I said , rubbing my hand up and down her back as I stepped into the elevator , brushing her sweat - dampened hair out of her face as we rode up to the penthouse , the one we had 30 days to move out of , according to the judge As soon as the doors opened , I rushed forward , fumbling with my keys before pausing momentarily when there was no resistance as Lattempted to unlock the door . Had I forgotten to lock it after picking up the car seat on my way to get Brinley ? " Caleb , did you grab my lotion ? " Lorna's voice called out from down the hall as I entered my home . It should be in your bag . " Caleb said from the kitchen , and I rounded the entryway to see him removing a collection of take- out boxes from a bag and placing them on the counter . " What the hell are you doing here ?" Ihissed, turning Brinley away from him , but she picked her head up at the sound of his voice anyway +25 BONUS " Daddy ! " She called , her voice hoarse . I'm moving back in . This is my home , after all . " He said with a smirk . " You can't do that ! I have thirty days to move out . What do you mean you're moving back in ? " I asked , astounded that Caleb had the nerve to show up at the house with his mistress . I glanced behind me when I heard Lorna walking toward us , her heels clicking on the hardwood floor . "I mean , Loma and I will be staying here from now on , Caleb said as Lorna shoved past me My hip slammed into the kitchen island , and I tightened my hold on Brinley to keep her from falling as she dropped her head back onto my shoulder , too weak to hold it up anymore . " The judge said I have thirty days to move out . You can come back then . " I said , " Legally , it is my house . So , I have every right to come and go as I please during those thirty days since I was also living here , and I am choosing to move back in . " Caleb said , sending a worried glance at Brinley .