Dear Ex-wife Marry Me

He had a soft spot for Ozzy, feeling that the dog somehow brought him closer to his mom. With Ozzy by his side, he felt at ease. If his dad was around, he'd feel even more secure. He loved his dad and Ozzy the most.

Ozzy had been romping around the backyard all afternoon, coming back with a few leaves stuck in his wagging tail. Fitch grabbed a towel and wiped off Ozzy's four paws, then gave his tail a good rub. Ozzy seemed to be waiting for this moment-it was part of their daily ritual. As soon as Fitch finished, Ozzy would obediently hop onto the bed and curl up at the foot to sleep.

There used to be another dog in the house, one Fitch had bought to make it up to Zoey. But Zoey hadn't wanted it, and four years ago, Tyler had taken it in. It was well cared for now.

After showering in the bedroom, Fitch came out to see his son gently patting Ozzy on the head. Ozzy was nuzzling back, contentedly.

Fitch's eyes reddened, his voice a bit hoarse. "Nolan, you go to sleep, buddy. Daddy's got to work late in the study."

"Okay."

It was only after leaving the bedroom that Fitch allowed himself a sigh of relief. That scene had inevitably brought Zoey to mind. Ozzy and Nolan were all he had left of her, her gifts to help him through four years of loneliness. But he knew, the tragedy of Zoey's passing was on him-his coldness, his cruelty.

For four years, he'd thought of her countless times, fearing that one day he might even forget her face. The years stretched on, so long he dared not recall how he'd raised Nolan, so long he couldn't bear to relive it. Yet, he sadly realized, life would bring many more sets of four years. This torment was just the beginning. He was the one who failed Zoey, and so the pain endured.

Once in the study, his emotions were still unsettled, but he'd learned to hide them better.

Zoey breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Curtis come home. "Dad, that partner didn't give you a hard time, did he?"Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

"No trouble, per se, but he wasn't exactly sunny to us, either. Doubt we'll see him again." Curtis shuddered at the memory, patting Zoey on the shoulder reassuringly "Zoey, that investor's son is starting at Zion City Kindergarten. It's a tough gig, and you'd do well to steer clear. If anything happens to that kid, it could spell trouble for the whole city. Nobody will have your back, and the envy from your colleagues won't be pretty. And that investor, he's a handsome one-if you get too close, who knows what people will say." Zoey understood the subtext. Her parents always wanted the best for her, and she'd felt it deeply these past years. "Dad, I get it. I'll figure out a way to decline."

Curtis breathed easier. "That's my girl. All I want is a peaceful home." With their past turmoil, now they longed for tranquility. Zoey's eyes welled up. "I know, dad. And don't worry, I won't blame you. I don't want to shoulder such a huge responsibility." "Oh, and that guy who took you home the other day you two seeing each other?"

Her cheeks flushed, and she coughed lightly. "We have a lunch date tomorrow. It's the weekend."

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"That's good. No pressure, honey. Your mom and I won't rush you. Make sure it's someone you truly like. But he does seem like a nice young man."

"Dad, I'll tell you how I feel after tomorrow. For now, I want to keep seeing him. He's a good guy." "Alright, Zoey. When you find someone you like, go for it. Your mom and I are always here for you." Feeling the warmth in her heart, Zoey smiled. "If things go well, I might just get engaged this year."