Trapped with My Billionaire Ex-Husband
Chapter 104

BLAIRE

A year has passed, yet it still feels like yesterday. The day I stepped out of the house Sebastian and I used to share was the day I chose to turn my life around.

To be honest, I wasn't expecting Sebastian to take it lightly. So many things were swirling around in my head that day. I feared he would use every trick in the book to force me to stay, to use Blaze as leverage. But he didn't. Instead, he gave me everything I wanted, including full custody of our child. He even offered me half of his estate to help me start anew, but I refused, and he never insisted. He let me make decisions for myself and allowed me to grow without depending on anyone. Regardless of our past, he remained supportive of every decision I made. We became the best parents for Blaze, despite not being together. Sebastian never missed a day of Blaze's life. He made sure to be present for every important moment in his son's life. I can safely say that he truly changed from the person he was before. I'm glad that we will eventually make it work for our son.

But there are times that I can't help but think, What if I give up on us? What if I give it one last try? Will I still be able to make it work?

"Mommy, the eggs were burning." Blaze caught my attention.

"Fck!" I cursed as panic surged through me. I was so deep in my thoughts that I completely forgot what I was doing.

"That's a bad word," Blaze commented.

"Yes, honey. I know. I'm sorry," I quickly apologized as I immediately threw the burnt eggs in the bin.

We were in that situation when I heard the doorbell ring.

"That's daddy!" Blaze shouted before running to the door.

"Please, don't run, honey!" I shouted as I continued to clean up the mess I had made. I was moving too fast, so Sebastian wouldn't see what I did. I was in the middle of getting rid of all of the evidence of my burnt eggs when the scent of Sebastian perfume infiltrated my nose. It instantly brings back the feeling that I was trying so hard to forget.

"What happened here?" A deep baritone voice came from behind me.

"Jesus!" I exclaimed, startled. How did I not notice him walking into the kitchen?

"You're a little jumpy today. Is everything alright?" he teased, flashing a dashing smile that revealed his perfectly white teeth.

"Nothing; I just burned the eggs," I lied, moving away to put some distance between us. Being that close to him awakened feelings I wasn't ready to entertain. "You're early. Blaze's school starts at ten," I said, attempting to change the topic.

"Yeah, I wanted to spend a bit of extra time with him before he heads off," Sebastian replied, leaning casually against the counter. "You know how much he loves it when I come by early."

I nodded, turning my attention back to the stove, trying to steady my racing heart. "Well, you know where everything is. Feel free to make yourself at home."

"Thanks," he said, his tone softening. "Are you sure everything is okay? You seem... off today."

I glanced at him, my resolve wavering under his concerned gaze. "It's just the restaurant. Nothing serious at all," I lied.

He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "You know you can talk to me, right? About anything."

I forced a smile, trying to mask the turmoil inside me. "I know. But there's really nothing to worry about." Sebastian studied me for a moment longer before nodding. "Alright. But if you need to talk, I'm here."

I watched as he moved to help Blaze with his breakfast, a sense of gratitude and unease settling over me. Despite everything, Sebastian had changed. He was trying, and that meant more to me than I could express.

"Blaze, are you excited about school today?" Sebastian asked, ruffling his son's hair affectionately.

"Yeah! We're going to learn about space!" Blaze replied enthusiastically, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

"That sounds amazing," Sebastian said, beaming at him. "Maybe you can tell me all about it when you get home."

As I watched them together, a warmth spread through my chest. Despite the challenges, we had found a way to co-parent harmoniously. It wasn't easy, but it was worth it for Blaze's sake. And in moments like this, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope for the future.

Sebastian and Blaze's conversation filled the kitchen with a warmth that made me smile despite myself. I finished cleaning up the remnants of my failed breakfast attempt and joined them at the table. Blaze was chattering animatedly about his upcoming school day, and Sebastian listened with genuine interest, nodding and asking questions.

As we sat together, a peaceful silence settled over us, punctuated only by Blaze's excited ramblings. I glanced at the clock, realizing it was time to start getting Blaze ready for school.

"Alright, champ," I said, ruffling Blaze's hair. "Time to get dressed. We don't want to be late."

"Okay, Mom!" Blaze hopped off his chair and ran off to his room, leaving me alone with Sebastian once again.

Sebastian turned to me, his expression serious. "Blaire."

My heart started racing once again when I found him standing in front of me, only a few feet away from one another. His eyes still bear those longing stares he carries whenever he looks at me. I'm not aware that I have been holding my breath, waiting for him to finish his sentence. "Are you free tonight? There's a new restaurant near my office. It's great, and I think you'd love it," he asked. "Why are you so fed up with my cooking and the food at my restaurant that you wanted to invite me to go out?" I teased him.

I saw panic spread all over his face. "N-No, no, no. "That's not what I meant. It's a new Japanese restaurant, and I was thinking that you might want to try it," he explained.

I chuckled. "I was just messing with you."

He squinted his eyes at me. "That's not fair. You almost gave me a heart attack," he complained before exaggeratingly clenching his chest.

I laugh. "Of course, I would love to. But how about Blaze? Is he coming?"

"Definitely," he quickly answered.

I don't know why I suddenly felt disappointed. I was expecting that we could get time for ourselves, but I guess I was wrong. It's been a year, and he probably moved on. Since we started this co-parenting journey with him, not once has he even tried to ask if I'm interested in getting back together. It seems like he has finally given up on us, just like I did.

But why does my heart ache with the thought of him finally opening himself up to another woman? I have no right to stop him from loving another woman. We're already divorced, after all.

Before I could respond, Blaze came running back into the kitchen, dressed and ready for school. "I'm ready, Mom! Let's go!"

"Alright, let's get you to school," I said, grateful for the distraction. I grabbed my keys and turned to Sebastian. "Are you coming with us?"

"Absolutely," he said, his eyes lighting up. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

I walked them to the door and waved as they got into Sebastian's car. Blaze's excited face pressed against the window, waving back enthusiastically, while Sebastian gave me a warm, reassuring smile. As they drove away, a loud sigh escaped my lips. The house felt suddenly empty without their presence, a stark contrast to the lively morning we had just shared.

I closed the door and leaned against it for a moment, collecting my thoughts. The routine of the morning helped ground me, but now it was time to focus on my own responsibilities. I headed to my room to prepare for the day, my mind already shifting to the tasks that awaited me.

After leaving Sebastian, I poured my heart and soul into starting my own café. It had been a dream of mine-a sanctuary where I could create and find solace in the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the buzz of satisfied customers. What began as a small, cozy café soon blossomed into a full-fledged restaurant, a testament to my hard work and dedication.

I changed into a crisp white blouse and a pair of tailored black trousers, slipping on my favorite flats. With a quick glance in the mirror, I pulled my hair into a neat bun and applied a touch of makeup, ready to face the day. Grabbing my keys and bag, I headed out, locking the door behind me.

The drive to the restaurant was short, and as I pulled into the parking lot, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. The building stood tall, its large windows reflecting the morning sun. The sign above the entrance read "Blaire's Haven," and I smiled at the thought of how far I had come.

Walking inside, I was greeted by the familiar hum of activity. The smell of fresh bread and pastries filled the air, mingling with the rich scent of coffee. My staff bustled around, preparing for the breakfast rush, and I greeted each of them with a smile. "Morning, everyone," I called out, receiving a chorus of greetings in return.

As the day progressed, the restaurant filled with customers, and the sounds of laughter and conversation created a lively atmosphere. I moved through the space, checking on tables, chatting with regulars, and making sure everything ran smoothly. The hours flew by, and before I knew it, it was time for the lunch crowd.

In a brief moment of respite, I took a seat at the bar, savoring a cup of coffee. My thoughts drifted back to the morning with Sebastian and Blaze. Despite the complexities of our past, there was a sense of peace in knowing we were doing our best for our son. "Hey, Blaire," my head chef, Lisa, called from the kitchen, her voice cutting through the pleasant hum of the bustling restaurant. "We've got a new menu item ready for tasting. Want to give it a try?"

I looked up from the stack of paperwork on my desk, feeling a spark of excitement. "Sure, Lisa. I'd love to," I replied, pushing my chair back and making my way towards the kitchen.

As I walked through the restaurant, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. The dining area was filled with happy customers, enjoying their meals and engaging in lively conversations. The smell of freshly baked bread and brewing coffee mingled in the air, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.

I stepped into the kitchen, where Lisa was waiting with a tray of beautifully plated dishes. Her face lit up with a smile when she saw me. "I think you're going to love this," she said, gesturing to the tray. "It's a twist on our classic seafood risotto, with a hint of citrus and a touch of saffron."

The aroma of the dish was intoxicating, and my mouth watered in anticipation. "It looks amazing, Lisa," I said, picking up a fork. "You always outdo yourself."

I took a bite, savoring the rich, creamy flavors that danced on my tongue. The citrus added a refreshing note, perfectly balancing the dish. "This is incredible," I said, genuinely impressed. "I think it's going to be a hit."

Lisa beamed with pride. "I'm so glad you like it. I'll start training the staff on how to prepare it."

"Thank you for your hard work, Lisa," I said, forcing a smile on my face.

Lisa probably noticed it, so she started asking. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I denied. I thought I did a good job hiding the trouble that's going on inside my head.

"I know, Blaire. We've only been working for a year, but I can already tell when there's something bothering you. What is it?" She insisted as she pulled me inside my house so we could have some privacy.

After her continuous persistence, I finally managed to tell her what was bothering me.

"Sebastian asked me out for dinner," I started.

Her eyes widened in surprise before she jumped in excitement. "OMG! Finally! So, it's a date? Do you need help picking out a dress?" She asked excitedly.

"No, it's not a date," I corrected.

She frowned in confusion. "If it's not, then what do you call it?" she asked. It didn't take long before she suddenly realized something. "Wait a minute, is that what's bothering you? He asked you out, but it's not a date? So, you want it to be a date?" "No, yes, I don't know!" I blurted it out, feeling the frustration build up.

"Why not just ask him directly?" she suggested, her tone softening. "I mean, clarity is better than all this confusion, right?"

"Maybe... but what if I'm wrong?" I sighed. "What if he just wants to talk about something else?"

She placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Well, what's the worst that could happen if you find out? At least you'll know where you stand."

"What do you think I should do?" I asked, looking for guidance.

We were in that position when my eyes were suddenly caught by the man on the TV. "Can you please turn up the volume?" I ordered the staff working at the bar counter where the TV was placed.

As the sound increased, the news anchor's voice filled the room. "In other news, Sebastian Foster, the renowned billionaire, was spotted last night at an upscale restaurant with a stunning woman by his side. They can be seen holding a diamond emerald necklace, which, according to our source, was gifted by him during the dinner."

I felt my heart drop. The image on the screen showed Sebastian smiling and leaning in close to a gorgeous woman, her eyes sparkling with excitement as he carefully looked at the necklace in his hand.

Lisa noticed my reaction immediately. "Blaire, are you okay?"

I shook my head, unable to tear my eyes away from the screen.

"Maybe it's just business?" Lisa suggested, though her voice lacked conviction.

"Business?" I scoffed, the bitterness evident in my tone. "That doesn't look like a business dinner to me."

Lisa touched my arm gently. "Blaire, you need to talk to him. You can't just assume the worst without hearing his side of the story."

"There's no need. I already got the answer I needed."