"I don't give a rat's ass about my reputation, but she is not taking my son!"

"Calm down, man. Declan can hear you."

I took a deep breath. I just couldn't believe that she would stoop this low. I mean she's clearly hurting herself, because I would never put my hands on her like that.

I know that video of me choking her looks bad, but I'm not a violent man. And if I have shown myself as such, it's because of her.

"Where the hell did she even get the money to afford a lawyer?" I removed my hand from my face, having been pinching the bridge of my nose in annoyance. Looking over at Everett, who was sitting at the bar of his mancave, I connected the dots. "Please don't tell me she's the one who's been stealing money from me?"

Everett nodded, giving me a tight-lipped smile that ended up being covered by the stubble on his face. "I just found out. I was going to tell you when you got back being as it was rather difficult to get a hold of you, but then all this shit happened."

I couldn't even be upset. I was all angered out and no longer surprised by my snake of an ex-wife's actions.

I snatched Everett's beer from his hands, wanting to forget about the one nightmare I was afraid would come true. He watched me finish off his beer, before handing the empty bottle back to him.

"She's going to win," I told my bestfriend as I anxiously paced the floor.

"No, she's not. You're Declan's father."

"And she's Declan's mother," I countered.

"Mothers don't fucking abandon their children. She is not, nor will she ever be his mother. Besides, Laurel's more his mother than that bitch."

Laurel...

She didn't sign up for any of this. I didn't sign up for any of this. And now it's not just my name that's getting dragged through the mud, but hers as well.

People have called her all kinds of nasty names on the internet, because Natalie told them that Laurel was a gold digging homewrecker for sleeping with me.

She's been trying to stay strong not just for me, but for Declan also. Ever since we got back, I've taken notice of how her eyes have seemed to lose their light. She's disguising her sadness with a smile, hoping no one will notice. But I can see right through her.

Which is why, for the sake of her heart and future career, I'm going to let her go. I can handle the venom Natalie throws at me, but I refuse to watch Natalie suck every ounce of joy out of my baby. She doesn't deserve any of it.

"Levi... I know what you're thinking. And I'm begging you not to do it. I admit that I didn't agree with this relationship you have going on with your nanny, but I've seen the way you and Declan both look at her. You see a partner and Declan sees a mother, which you both need more than anything right now."

"This shit with Natalie is hurting her, Everett. And it's hurting me, because I can't do anything about it. I'm simply trying to protect her heart."

"No, you're trying to protect your heart. You have a habit of pushing people away when you get scared- scared of any emotion because you're afraid they will leave."

"Can you blame me? Look what happened the last time I gave my heart to another."

"She is not Natalie, Levi. Think about what you're doing to Declan."

I looked down at the floor, shaking my head. "It's for the best."

"Is it though? Is firing her truly the best solution you could come up with?"

"Do you have a better solution!?" I snapped.

"Yes! Fight for your family."

****

I scrolled through the comments in my phone, people who don't even know me calling me all kinds of hurtful names.

Haley plucked my phone out of my hand and turned the device off. "Didn't I tell you to stay off social media?" She questioned, giving me my phone back.

"I tried. But-"

"No buts," she interrupted, her hands on her hips. "You and I both know none of it is true. And so does Levi."

"Laurel," Levi's voice boomed from behind me. Twisting my upper body, I saw the serious expression embedded in his features and knew whatever he was about to say wasn't something I wanted to hear. "We need to talk."

Disappearing into the kitchen, I looked back at Haley. She shrugged, not sure what that was about. Wanting to give us our privacy, she took the boys down to Everett's mancave.

"Is everything okay?" I asked Levi, walking into the kitchen and leaning against the island.

He was standing on the other side of the island, his arms crossed over his chest. When he wouldn't look at me, that's when I knew something was wrong.

"Levi, talk to me."

"I'm letting you go. All of your things has been moved into a condo. Rent for the entire year has been paid in full. And Victor is outside ready to escort you safely to your new place."

My heart dropped. Everything was happening so fast, and he still wasn't making eye contact with me.

Walking around the granite counter, I gripped his shirt. Looking up at him, I held back tears as I begged him to look at me. "Levi..." He finally looked at me. "Please don't push me away."

Reaching behind his back, he retrieved a small piece of paper and placed it in my hands. I opened it up, seeing that it was a check for a hundred thousand dollars.

"That should be enough to help pay for the rest of your student loans."

I didn't want his money. It felt like an insult- like a pay off. That's when the tears started to fall. "I don't understand. Why are you doing this?"

"Laurel, please don't make this harder than it has to be."

I began to sob. "What about Declan? W-What about us?"

"There is no us," he replied coldly.

My heart didn't just drop, it broke. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Whatever his reason for becoming so standoffish, I knew it had something to do with Natalie.

She'd managed to slither her way into our relationship. She's successfully sunk her fangs into Levi and poisoned him with her venom.

"Don't let her win, Levi."

His eyes bore into mine, his tone and facial features lacking any and all emotion. "She's already won."

My hands fell limply at my sides. There was no point in trying to convince him. He'd already made up his mind.

Walking away, I wiped the tears from my eyes. I had my hand on the door knob, paparazzi ready and waiting outside.

Little footsteps sounded, tiny arms wrapping around my legs. Knowing it was Declan, I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes and put a smile on my face.

Turning, I bent down to hug him. Kissing his forehead, I held on to him as long as I could.

I looked up, Haley and Everett both watching with a sad look in their eyes. My eyes flickered to Levi. He was no longer looking at me, his eyes trained to the floor.

"Laurel has to go now, Declan."

Declan cried, tightening his hold on me. "No! L-Laurel stay!" He sniffled, his curls bouncing as he shook his head.

"I'm sorry buddy," he murmured. "But it's time for Laurel to go."