37 Times She Chose Him, The Last Time I Let Him Go Chapter 03

37 Times She Chose Him, The Last Time I Let Him Go Chapter 03

Grant gave his answer right there in the office.

“I’ll be with Leo tomorrow.”

Tessa slowly let go of his sleeve.

I asked, “You promised Tessa you’d teach her how to make the craft kite.”

“There’s always next time.” His tone was clipped. “Leo just got teased about the father thing. If I don’t show, it’ll be worse for him.”

“So you’ll use our daughter to save his feelings?”

Grant glanced around the room. “Don’t make a scene here.”

Natalie jumped in, voice trembling. “Naomi, I can tell Grant to stay with Tessa. But Leo’s therapist said he can’t handle another rejection right now.”

My eyes locked on her. “Tessa had three nightmares last night.”

“But she has you,” Natalie said quickly, then caught herself. “I mean—she’s luckier than Leo.”

Tessa looked up. “Ms. Harlow, I can let Dad be with Leo for one day.”

She started counting on her fingers.

“Birthday. Soccer game. Doctor’s appointment. Family Fun Day. And now the workshop. When do I get him back?”

No one answered.

That evening, Tessa pulled a handmade kite out of the closet. The wings were crooked, painted with messy strokes, and on it she’d written all three of our names.

She carried it to the living room.

“Dad, will you test it with me tonight? Just once? Then I can do it by myself tomorrow.”

Grant was busy assembling the craft kit for Leo’s workshop. He didn’t look up.

“I’m busy. Ask your mom.”

“But the teacher said we need our dad.”

“Do you always do everything the teacher says?”

His patience wore thin. He reached for the glue and knocked the kite off the table.

Leo stomped right over it in his sneakers. The bamboo frame snapped.

Tessa screamed and shoved him.

Leo hit the floor and wailed.

Natalie rushed to scoop him up. “Leo! Are you hurt?”

Grant grabbed Tessa’s arm. “Who taught you to push people?”

Tessa sobbed and pointed at the broken kite. “He stepped on it.”

“You care more about things than people?”

“You made that kite with me!”

“We can make another one.”

“You won’t.”

Her voice dropped so low it barely carried.

Grant froze for half a second.

I lifted Tessa into my arms. “Pushing was wrong, and we’ll talk about that. But Leo stepped on her property. He should apologize too.”

Natalie checked Leo over, then said softly, “He didn’t mean to. But Tessa hit him first. Maybe she should apologize first?”

Grant nodded. “Hear that?”

Tessa stayed still on my shoulder, silent.

He pulled her into his arms. “Say you’re sorry. I won’t ask again.”

Tessa’s whole body went rigid. Tears dripped onto her shirt.

“I’m sorry.”

Leo wiped his face and hid in Natalie’s arms. “I won’t forgive you—unless you give me that kite.”

Grant picked the broken kite off the floor. “Here. It’s busted anyway.”

Tessa thrashed. “No! That’s mine!”

Grant nearly dropped her trying to hold on. The moment her feet touched the ground, she dove for the kite. A splintered bamboo shard sliced her palm.

I grabbed her hand.

Grant reached out too, but Leo suddenly grabbed his stomach and howled.

Natalie yelped, “Grant, look at Leo!”

His hand hung in the air.

Then he turned toward Leo.

I taped up Tessa’s cut and pulled out my phone. I forwarded the finalized divorce agreement to Grant.

“Take a look when you get a chance.”

Grant glanced at the subject line and swiped the screen off.

“Are you threatening me with divorce?” His voice carried that old certainty. “You don’t want Tessa to grow up without a father. You won’t blow up this family. Stop this act before you confuse the kid.”

He picked up a pair of scissors, and right in front of Tessa, snipped off the corner of the kite where her name was written.