My Regretful Ex-Husband novel · Chapter 7 of 24

Chapter 7: Terms

Jonas rang Hallie's doorbell at seven that night, with no flowers and no driver.

Hallie opened the door holding a wooden spoon.

"No," she said.

"I'd like to speak to Wren."

"I'd like a pony. We're both disappointed."

"Hallie," Wren called from the kitchen table. "Let him in."

"You're sure?"

"Not even a little. Let him in."

Hallie stepped aside and made a show of watching his shoes.

Jonas stood in the small kitchen with his coat still on. There was one extra chair, and Hallie did not offer it.

Wren had a yellow legal pad in front of her.

"Did you go to your mother's dinner?" she asked.

"I told her no."

"Why?"

"Because you weren't invited to it. You were summoned."

Wren looked down at the pad so he wouldn't see her mouth move.

"Sit," she said. "I have terms."

He sat. Hallie leaned against the fridge and tapped the spoon on her palm.

"One," Wren read. "You can know. You can come to the appointments and sit in the room."

"Yes."

"Two. You don't touch me."

Jonas's jaw moved. "Yes."

"Three. No money. No house, no car, no envelopes. Not even a stroller."

"A stroller is not an envelope."

"Three," Wren said.

"Fine."

"Four. You call before you come. You do not stand at my window."

"You do not buy out the bakery, and you do not send a driver."

"Four."

"Five," Hallie said. "No flowers. I have allergies, and also contempt."

Jonas looked at Hallie for the first time. "No flowers."

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