I got out of my car and slowly walked toward the mansion.

My hands were shaking, and I felt a cold sweat break out.

I still couldn't believe it was over - I was finally divorced.

The papers were right there in my purse, and all I had to do was drop them off and pick up Noah.

I stepped into the house, hearing voices from somewhere inside. Following the sound, I stopped at the kitchen doorway.

Their words reached me clearly now, and and my blood ran cold.

"I still don't understand why we can't live together?" Noah asked his father.

My shaking hands clutched at my chest, my heart breaking at the sadness in Noah’s voice. I would do anything for my sweet son, but this divorce was unavoidable.

My marriage to his father had been a mistake. Everything about us was a mistake. It just took me time to see the truth.

"You have to understand, Noah, your mother and I can't be together anymore," Rowan gently replied.

It was strange, really. Throughout our marriage, Rowan had never once spoken to me that softly. It was always cold. Always flat and empty of any emotion.

"But why?"

"These things just happen," Rowan replied.

I could picture Rowan frowning as he tried to make Noah understand so he wouldn't ask any more questions. But Noah was my son. Curiosity ran in his blood.

"Don't you love her?" Noah asked.

The simple, heartfelt question caught my breath. I stepped back and leaned against the wall. Heart racing, held my breath waiting for his answer.

I already knew what it was. I had always known. Everyone except Noah probably knew the answer.

The truth was Rowan didn't love me. Never had and never would. That was as clear as day. Even knowing this, I still wanted to hear his reply. Would he tell our son the truth or lie to him?

Rowan cleared his throat, obviously stalling. "Noah..."

"Dad, do you love mommy or not?" Noah asked again, his voice firm.

Rowan let out a defeated sigh. "I love her for bringing you into my life," he finally said.

It was a deflection, not an answer.

I closed my eyes against the wave of pain that washed over me. After all this time, it still hurt. My heart breaking all over again. I don't know why some small part of me had hoped his answer would be different.

Rowan never said those three words. Not at our wedding, not when Noah was born, not once in all those years - not even in our most intimate moments.

Throughout our marriage, he kept me at arm's length. I gave him everything, but all I got in return was heartache.

We were married, but our marriage had three people in it. Him, me, and the love of his life - the woman he couldn't let go of for nine years.

Tears burned my eyes, but I blinked them back. I was done crying. Done chasing someone who never wanted me in the first place.

"Didn't anyone ever teach you it's rude to eavesdrop?"

His deep voice cut through my thoughts. I straightened my shoulders and stepped into the kitchen.

There he stood, leaning against the counter - my ex-husband, Rowan Woods.

Rowan’s mocking grey eyes locked onto mine.

I looked at my son - my pride and joy, the one good thing in my life. He was his father's son through and through, except for my brown hair mixing with those striking grey eyes he got from Rowan.

"Hi," I said with a slight smile.

"Mommy!" Noah dropped his sandwich and jumped down from the counter. He ran over and hugged my waist. "I missed you!"

"Missed you too, sweetie," I kissed his forehead before he bounced back to finish his lunch.

I stood there awkwardly. This used to be my home, but now I felt like an outsider.

Truth was, I always had been.

Knowingly or not, Rowan had built this house with her in mind. Every detail, down to the color scheme, matched her dream home perfectly.

I should have seen the warning signs back then. His heart was never going to be mine when it so clearly belonged to someone else.

"What are you doing here?" The irritation in Rowan's voice was clear as he checked his watch.