He got off lightly in the article. I’m made out to be some kind of gold-digger who’s come back for what she can get. I know it’s not his fault, but I think if I wasn’t this strong, I’d be a puddle of tears on the floor.

Maybe the angry hormone surges help rather than hinder me right now.

I feel under bombardment, and I’m not sure how I’m going to face the week ahead, but I have to push through this because our family is worth it.

Early Monday morning, there’s a knock on the door, and I smile when I see the courier with a huge bouquet of roses and basket full of all kinds of chocolate goodies. Josh.

“Mummy, look at all the chocolate.” Melly’s eyes are huge.

“Your father sent them.”

“They’re from Daddy?”

I gather her into my arms and hug her tight. “They are from Daddy. Want a little bit before you go to school? Just don’t tell anyone you had chocolate with breakfast.”

She giggles.

I start pulling things out. This didn’t come cheap. I pick up my phone and flick off a quick text to Josh.

Me: I got the flowers and the chocolate. Thank you. Love you xx

“Which one do you think we should open?”

Melly’s index finger goes straight to her mouth as if it’s the most important decision she’ll ever have to make. She examines each box and bar before picking a brightly coloured bar.

“This one.”

I laugh, peeling back the wrapper and snapping off a piece each.

“Mmm, thank you, Daddy,” I say.

She laughs. It’s only one piece, but she’s already managed to smear it around her lips.

“You’re a mess. We’re going to have to clean up before school.”

“Do I have to go? Can’t we see Daddy?”

I shake my head. “Sorry, baby. He’s working. But he’s coming to see us really soon.”

“I miss him.” Her lower lip wobbles.

“So do I. But he’ll be spending some time with us in a few weeks, and maybe he can take you to school in the mornings and pick you up. That’s what I think he should do for a while, anyway.”

She beams. “Really?”

“He’s going to here for a few weeks, so we need to make the most of it. And he’ll want to be with his little girl for as much time as possible.”

Melly flings her arms around my neck. “I can’t wait for Daddy to get here.”

I swallow down the lump in my throat. “Neither can I, baby. Neither can I.”

* * *

The school principal smiles when I walk into the office.

“Delaney. I thought we might see you today.”

I nod. “Stacey. I guess you’ve seen the story.”