Ex-Husband's Regret

Harper.

I get out of bed feeling like I've been run over by a track. I didn't get a stitch of sleep yesterday. You could tell by how sluggish and slow I was this morning.

Looking at my phone, I see that it's a little past five in the morning. I know that I won't be able to go back to sleep so I just get up. Gabriel had told me that he had a gym, so I put on some leggings and a sport bra and then leave my room.

I had a long day ahead of me. Today is Monday, and it'll be Lilly's first day at school. I wanted to be the one to take her. She seemed a bit nervous when she went to sleep, but she tried downplaying it.

The only thing that gave her comfort was knowing that Noah would be with her. She had told me that Noah had promised to introduce her to all his friends. It was so sweet and kind of him. It was clear that he was raised right, and given how kind Ava was towards me, I didn't expect anything else.

I walk through the still dark hallways trying to maneuver my way to the gym. I remember Gabriel telling me it was on the top floor so that's where I head.

On my way, I pass by Gabriel's room and for a moment I stop. Don't look at me like that. I have no freaking idea why I stopped. There was just something that pulled me to a stop. There was no light and sound so he was probably still asleep.

I literally have to force myself to move. The last thing I wanted was him waking and finding me outside his door standing there like a creep.

Within minutes, I find the locked doors. The lights were on, but I don't think anything about it. I realized that he sometimes works out at night, so maybe he forgot to switch them of yesterday.

I open the door and step inside. I freeze in my trucks. Gabriel was definitely not asleep.

Instead, he was t-shirtless on the treadmill. I swear I could see sweat dripping down his chest and, fuck did it do things to me.

I wanted to look away, but I couldn't. I couldn't stop staring at his wide chest or the muscles that rippled underneath his skin. My eyes were fixated on him. Drinking him up like they were thirsty.

"You done staring? Or should I flex my muscles and give you more of the show" his arrogant filled tone, pulls me back to the present.

was no longer running on the damn thing. Shit.

mutter, stepping further

cheeks were probably red

fooled me" he says with a tinge

to start my workout. I've haven't seen Gabriel since he dropped us after we spent the day

where he was going. Who he was going with. I wanted to remind him that we both agreed that there would

ashamed to say that the whole night I was on edge. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't stop thinking about where he was, what he was doing or more specifically, who he was doing. My mood didn't improve when I woke up the next day, and he still wasn't home. I didn't see him the whole day and went to sleep without laying my eyes

act or react. Should I ask? But then that will just

ask. The need for answers

I've haven't seen you since Saturday"

the weights, trying to decide which one

don't you just ask what you really want to ask without beating around the bush, Harper" his voice drawls near

him move.

I ask, pushing the nervousness

in a sharp breath before turning around. I gasp

to his eyes. There was something in them that

I realize it was a storm I was seeing

"No

because if

my sentence. "What would you

I realize that he'd cornered me with nowhere

not going to breach the contract," he says before adding. "Though, you must realize how this is fucking hard for me given I haven't

to push against him,