My Ex-Husband Challenged Me at a State Competition He Did Not Control
tried to act composed for almost three seconds before throwing his arms around me.
“We did it,” he whispered.
“You did,” I told him.
Over Eli’s shoulder, I saw Daniel stand.
For one irrational second, I thought he might leave.
Instead, he started walking toward us.
Vanessa caught his sleeve, but he pulled free without looking at her.
Mason followed a few steps behind.
Daniel stopped in front of the boys and stared at the medals hanging against their shirts.
Then he looked at their faces properly for what may have been the first time in years.
I watched recognition arrive slowly.
Not recognition of who they were. I had already told him that.
Recognition of what he had missed.
“You won both divisions?” he asked.
Eli glanced at Owen. “Separate divisions.”
“Science and math,” Owen added.
Daniel nodded several times as though someone had handed him information he neededtime to process.
“That’s… impressive.”
Neither boy answered.
Daniel’s eyes moved to me. “Why didn’t you tell me they were competing at this level?”
That question nearly made me laugh.
Not because it was funny.
Because it was so perfectly Daniel.
For thirteen years, he had built an empty space between himself and his sons, and now he was asking why I hadn’t mailed him a map across it.
“You didn’t know what school they attended until this morning,” I said quietly. “When exactly was I supposed to start sending you competition schedules?”
His face tightened.
“Claire, that’s not fair.”
Eli’s expression changed at those words.
I felt him shift beside me, but he stayed silent.
Before I could answer, Mason stepped closer.
He wasn’t looking at Daniel.
He was staring at Eli’s badge.
“Wait,” he said. “You’re Eli Mercer?”
Eli looked surprised. “Yeah.”
Mason turned toward Owen. “And you’re
