This work contains themes and scenes intended for mature readers (18+). It explores intimacy, emotional complexity, and adult relationships through contemporary romance and erotic realism. Reader discretion is advised.
The Weight of the Ex
Public Judgment
Claire brings Adriana to a school Harvest Fair. Her ex-husband Mark makes veiled criticisms about Claire's parenting and relationship, causing Claire to emotionally withdraw from Adriana.
An Excerpt from this Chapter...
“Well, well. Claire.”
The voice, thick with false, hearty cheer, cut through the noise. Mark stood on the other side of the bake sale table, a paper plate of brownies in hand. Beside him was his new partner, Kaitlyn, sleek and effortlessly put-together. She offered a polite, bloodless smile.
Cold dread washed over Claire. “Mark,” she said, voice tight. “Kaitlyn.”
Mark’s gaze flickered from Claire to Adriana, a slow, appraising look that took in the easy way she stood beside Claire, her hand on Mia’s shoulder. His smile tightened.
“And you must be Claire’s new… friend,” he said, the small hesitation before ‘friend’ a deliberate, perfectly aimed dart.
“This is Adriana,” Claire said, voice flat.
“The trainer, right,” Mark said, as if recalling trivial information. “Leo mentioned you. It’s great you’ve found time for such an intense… self-care routine, Claire. I just wonder how you manage it all.”
There it was. The casual, smiling assassination. Unspoken accusations were deafening: You’re being selfish. You’re neglecting duties. You’re putting your strange hobby before your children. He was using her deepest fear—of being judged a bad mother—as a weapon.
From the corner of her eye, Claire saw Adriana’s posture stiffen, expression becoming shuttered. She felt the chill, the immediate creation of a chasm.
Claire’s survival instincts took over. She went cold and calm, focused on de-escalate and escape. “It’s called time management, Mark. You should try it sometime,” she said, voice clipped. She handed Leo money. “Why don’t you guys go get popcorn.”
The moment they were gone, Mark’s smile dropped. “Just be careful, Claire,” he said, voice low and paternalistic. “The kids need stability right now. Not… whatever this is.”
He didn’t wait for response. He and Kaitlyn melted into the crowd, leaving Claire standing in wreckage, heart hammering.
Adriana was silent, face unreadable.
“I’m sorry about that,” Claire mumbled, not looking at her. “He’s… an ass.”
“He is,” Adriana said, voice neutral. But Claire could feel the wall between them. Adriana had witnessed the ex-husband, the ugly complexity, the threat.
The rest of the afternoon was a blur. Joy was gone, replaced by frantic, brittle performance of fun. Claire was acutely aware of distance between herself and Adriana. They walked with careful foot of space separating them. No more casual touches, no shared smiles.
The car ride home was a tomb of cold, heavy silence. When they got to the house, Claire’s retreat was swift. “It’s late, the kids are exhausted, I should just get them to bed,” she said, words rushed, herding children out.
“Claire…” Adriana started, voice quiet.
“Thank you so much for coming,” Claire said, voice bright and false, already halfway to door. “I’ll see you at the gym.”
She didn’t wait for reply before closing the door, leaning against it, eyes squeezed shut.