9
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Time flew by. Three days before the
competition, I got a new job with great
prospects. My boss loved me.
I went to pick Ashley up from dance camp to
celebrate and give her a pep talk. I wasn’t
expecting to see Chloe.
She’d gained weight, a noticeable roll around
her middle. She was holding a giant soda,
waiting for someone.
A few girls came out of the studio and joined
her.
“Chloe! You never come here. What brings
you today?” one of them asked.
Another girl said, “Her dad’s wife is pregnant,
so he kicked her out. Doesn’t want her
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stressing out the pregnant lady.”
John’s wife was pregnant? Chloe’s timing
really was awful.
Chloe’s face turned an ugly shade of red. She
took a large gulp of soda.
Then she saw me.
She flushed, then sneered. “You’re like a bad
penny! Just because my mom’s pregnant doesn’t mean you can come between us!”
“I won’t give you the satisfaction! I’m not
coming back with you!”
“We’re a happy family of four! And I’m going to love my new baby brother!”
Her eyes were filled with scorn. I was the gum
stuck to the bottom of her shoe.
Did she really think I would beg her to come
back after she treated me so cruelly?
I shook my head. “Chloe, you’ve got it wrong.
I’m not here for you.”
I–waved to Ashley, who was running toward
- us. “Careful!”
Chloe stared at me, dumbfounded. “You’re
not here for me? You’re here for her?”
I took Ashley’s hand, looking calmly at Chloe.
“That’s right. We agreed, remember? No.
contact. After the custody agreement.”
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I gave her a little wave and walked away with
Ashley.
I heard a loud crash behind me. The soda.
Chloe was angry.
But why?
She was the one who treated me so terribly.
