After the Divorce, I Only Need My Daughter — Novel

About

In a world where love is complicated by loyalty and past mistakes, Hailey Walker is determined to put her daughter first. Struggling through a bitter divorce, she finds an unexpected ally in Reginald Matthews, a charming young man who seems to see her for who she truly is—a strong woman deserving of love. But just as Hailey begins to believe in a brighter future, the walls of her fragile happiness start to crumble.

When a casual invitation to a school event leads her to a bar where Reginald's friends mock her and her daughter, Hailey is left questioning everything. Could the man who fought so hard for her and her child really see her as nothing more than a used-up woman? And as old flames reappear, complicating their budding relationship, Hailey must confront her deepest fears: Is Reginald truly the man she thought he was, or just another disappointment?

With her daughter’s innocence at stake and her heart hanging in the balance, Hailey must decide if she can risk it all for a chance at love—or if she’s destined to guard her heart forever. Will she find the strength to reclaim her happiness, or will the past keep her shackled?

After the Divorce, I Only Need My DaughterChapter 1

When every other guy his age was chasing fresh-faced college girls and dating women barely out of their teens, Reginald Matthews claimed he'd fallen for me at first sight.

Me. A divorced single mother.

He showed up at my breakfast burrito cart every morning, a whole crew of his buddies in tow, buying enough to keep me in business. He pulled all-nighters helping me fight my divorce case, battling my ex-husband for custody of my daughter. He even swore that he'd chase me for the rest of his life if he had to, and that as long as I didn't say yes, he'd never cross a single line.

Then came the school sports day at my daughter's school.

Moira Walker tugged at the hem of my shirt, her little face bright with hope.

"Mommy, can Uncle Reggie come?"

"I want him to be my new daddy."

That was the moment I knew my own heart. I was ready to give Reginald an answer.

I followed the location he'd tagged on his Instagram story and found the bar.

And heard him and his buddies, loose-tongued and drunk, talking about me like I was a piece of merchandise.

"You were so pissed when Fiona Lawson dumped you for that older guy."