Knock! Knock!
“Come in!” Justin pushed his phone aside and moved his eyes towards the door. Chase entered with a bag of food from a local taco food truck.
“That was quick,” said Justin, standing to greet him.
“I was already in line when you’d called. I’ve got chicken tacos.”
“Sounds good.” Justin gestured him towards the large conference table near the window. “Would you like a drink? I have scotch, whiskey…”
“Dude, it’s still office hours.”
“After the meeting I had…” Justin poured himself a scotch and sat across from his friend. “Tom Meyers stopped by to discuss his daughter.”
“Why?” Chase frowned before biting into his taco.
“In a nutshell, he wants it to appear that Lindsey and I are starting this loving family.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“I wish I were. Since the moment I returned home, everyone has questioned my relationship with Ava or expect me to treat her like an afterthought.”
Chase wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I think she’s pretty cool. I told you to fight for her.”
“And you were right.” Justin unwrapped his taco and dug in.
“If I know nothing else. I know women.” Chase laughed. “Seriously, I don’t know what Tom is smoking, but everyone knows what kind of girl Lindsey is. She’s a clout chaser who’s always searching for a bigger fish.”
Justin couldn’t deny her reputation, but it wasn’t enough to prevent him from sleeping with her multiple times.
“She’s accustomed to a certain lifestyle and wants it to remain that way,” continued Chase.
“We’re going to the doctor in two days. I must be sure this baby is mine.”
“Does the timing add up?”
“It does. Ava and I were spending a lot of time together. I experienced a bit of a struggle with my feelings for her. I came home and Lindsey happened. But I never dove in raw. I always wore a condom.”
“Piece of advice?”
“Sure.”
“Even if she is pregnant, get a DNA test. I know for a fact, she was involved with someone while you were in Atlanta.”
“Who?”
“Not sure. But, at the dinner party, I overheard Nina tell Dale that Lindsey had bragged about being with some guy who she planned to marry.”
“You heard this from Nina?”
Chase nodded.
Justin grabbed his phone and shot Nina a quick text. In return, he received an auto-reply message stating she was out of the country. “She must be away on business. Either way, I’ll unravel this tangled web in two days.”
Chapter Twelve
Ava wrapped a blanket around her shoulders as she snuggled on the couch. She dipped her spoon into her bowl of vanilla ice cream and turned on the television. After scrolling through the channels, she stopped at a superhero movie marathon. Her eyes remained transfixed on the eighty-inch screen, while her ears perked towards the sound of footsteps approaching from the hall. Ava sat her bowl on the table and placed her blanket beside her. Before she could move to a standing position, Chris Harrington entered the room. “Mr. Harrington,” she said, jumping to her feet.
“I hope I didn’t startle you. I used my key.” He held a brass house key in the air.
She lifted the remote to turn off the television. “If you’re here to see Justin, he’s at an appointment with Lindsey.”
“I know. I came to see you.”
“Oh, okay.” She glanced about the room. Embarrassed she hadn’t tidied up. “Would you like to speak in another room?”
He moved towards the chair. “Here is fine.”
Ava sat on the couch with Chris catercorner. “So, what can I do for you?”
He sat upright in the chair. Body stiff, his jawline hard, and coldness in his eyes. “About a month ago, I received a call from my son stating he’d returned home and had met the woman of his dreams. Naturally, I was happy for him as he went into detail about the wonderful woman who had changed his life. At the dinner party, we failed to acquaint ourselves with one another to my satisfaction. I have several unanswered questions floating around in my head.”
“I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.”
“How did you meet my son?”
She swallowed hard and held direct eye contact. His body language signaled his question had a hidden agenda. “I met him at a work gathering my department had thrown for Nina. He attended as her guest.”
“Was that your first time meeting my son?”
“Yes.”
“And you never researched my family?”
Ava’s eyes tightened as her lip curled downward. “Research? Why would I research your family? I never heard of you or Justin before we met.”
His mouth formed a contemptuous half-smile. “I find that very hard to believe. The truth is you snaked your way through my family, beginning with Justin’s mother, Corrine. You invented a story about her weasel of a husband stalking you, followed by a suit against him for harassment. Now, why would you sue a man who didn’t have enough capital to save his company?”
Ava’s eyes widened, and her heart rate quickened as she listened to his twisted version of events.
Chris leaned forward, with his index finger pointed in the air towards her. “You knew you couldn’t collect from him, so you thought Corrine would be the next best thing.”
Her eyes blinked as tears formed. “You’re wrong! I didn’t invent a story or knew he was Corrine’s husband.”
“It baffled me why you had dropped the lawsuit. But then, I recalled the questions the police had about Justin and Phillip. In the middle of the questioning, guess whose name popped up? Yours.”
“I’m not responsible for what happened to Justin. Brandon acted alone.”
“I don’t believe you had anything to do with the torture my son endured. However, I believe your initial encounter with him was not accidental. Justin is much better payday than a lawsuit against Phillip. I’m sure the sole heir to a multi-billion-dollar estate entices women like you.”
Ava wiped her tears as her body tensed in anger. “I don’t appreciate what you’re implying. I was unaware of Justin’s true wealth. Sure, I knew he was a successful businessman whose net worth was in the millions. That’s because I was privy to his financial records when he applied for a loan. I love your son and could care less about his money.”
“Miss Sinclair, I’m not here to play games with you. My son comes from a life that requires certain expectations, and if ignored there will be irrevocable consequences.” He reached for a pad on the table and retrieved a pen from his suit pocket. He scribbled on the paper, ripped it away from the pad, and handed it to Ava.
Her heart raced as she scanned the paper. “What’s this?” Looking him dead in his cold eyes.
“That is an offer for one million dollars. I’ll wire the money into your account, if you pack your bags, leave my son, and forget you’ve heard the name, Harrington.”
“And if I refuse?”
His mouth formed a cunning thin smile before he rose from his chair and exited the room. Ava sat stunned as she tried to wrap her head around what just happened. She picked up her phone and typed a text to Justin.
Come home, now! Need you.
Chapter Thirteen
Justin followed behind Lindsey as a physician assistant escorted them to an examination room. Lindsey seemed nervous as she sat high on the examination table. “Are you sure I’m seeing Dr. Calhoun? I don’t feel comfortable with anyone else,” she said.
The female physician assistant entered information into her electronic pad and set it down. “I’m sure. Now relax, so I can take your blood pressure.”
Justin sat in a chair in the corner, his eyes glanced through his text messages. He just received one from Ava asking him to come home. He responded by telling her he would be there as soon as possible. “Are you always this nervous at your appointments?” he asked once th
e assistant exited the room.
“There’s only one doctor here I can tolerate. The others are a bunch of know-it-alls with zero bedside manners.”
“My sole reason for being here is to have my questions answered. What did you tell them to get a quick appointment?”
“I said I had intermittent discomfort.”
They sat in silence until the doctor entered the room. “How are you, Lindsey? I see you brought someone with you today.”
“Hi, I’m Justin.”
“Oh, the father.” The gray-haired, older woman gave him a warm smile. “Nice to meet you. I’m Dr. Calhoun.
He sat in silence as the doctor questioned Lindsey about her symptoms. Lindsey told a tale about feeling pain at the top of her abdomen after eating.
“At this point in your pregnancy, you may develop heartburn and indigestion. If it persists, eat smaller meals throughout the day instead of three large ones. At any rate, we’ll conduct an ultrasound as a precaution.”
Lindsey’s blue-green eyes darted towards Justin. “Do you have questions for the doctor?”
Justin moved beside the examination table. “Just one. I haven’t been around many pregnant women, but shouldn’t she be showing more for fifteen weeks?”
Dr. Calhoun’s eyes crinkled as her lips formed a thin smile. “Every woman and every pregnancy are different. Some carry small and others show right away.”
Justin allowed the doctor’s words to sink in as she squirted a jelly-like substance on Lindsey’s stomach and placed what looked like a miniature microphone against her belly. Within seconds, the sound of a tiny heartbeat filled the room. His own heart skipped a beat, and a smile crept across his face as he listened to the melodic rhythm. “Is that the baby’s heartbeat?”
“Yes,” beamed Lindsey.
“Nice and strong,” added Dr. Calhoun. She removed the instrument and turned towards Justin. “I now have to ask you to vacate the room.”
He glanced at Lindsey and then back at the doctor. “Why?”
“I require privacy to continue the examination.” She placed her hand on the doorknob. “I’ll call you back in once we’re done.”
He looked back at Lindsey. He still had additional questions.
The doctor held open the door. “Don’t worry, Mr. Harrington. I’ll take good care of her.”
With reluctance, Justin exited the room and sat in a smaller waiting area outside the door. His mind raced with ways of how he could get the information he needed and not leave empty-handed. Just then, he noticed the young brunette who helped him with the check-in process pass by and sit behind the checkout desk. Because he didn’t trust Lindsey, he’d insisted he signed her in to prevent any scheming on her part. Justin approached the counter, ready to charm the needed information out of the young lady.
“Hi, I wonder if you can help me,” he said, as she looked up at him wearing a smile.
“One second,” she said, answering the phone.
He waited patiently as he listened to her reschedule an appointment. Minutes later, she hung up the phone. “I’m sorry, how may I help you?”
“I’m not sure if you recall, but you assisted me when I checked my girlfriend in earlier. I’d approached the counter expecting a sign-in sheet, and you advised that it’s all electronic.”
“I remember you, Mr. Harrington.”
“You recall my name?” he asked, surprised.
Her eyes glistened, and her cheeks turned a light shade of red. “In error, you typed your last name into the computer instead of the patient’s.”
“I once again apologize for the confusion that I caused.”
“It wasn’t a problem.”
“Great, well, my girlfriend is pregnant with our first child.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you. So, as I sat waiting for her, I thought I would surprise her with small gifts to celebrate every milestone of her pregnancy. Maybe begin with a bouquet of her favorite flowers to correspond with the number of weeks she is. The following week, I’ll get balloons, and move up to pieces of jewelry.”
“That’s sweet.” She grinned like his charm fully enamored her.
“You think so?”
“Yeah, she’ll love it.”
“Good, but here’s the problem. I forgot how far along she is. I hate to buy fifteen roses when she’s actually twelve weeks along.”
“I’m sorry,” she said with a crinkle of her nose. “I can’t release her information.”
“But, I’m the father.”
She twisted her lips and paused for a second. “I’ll check her file. She could have listed your name as someone we can speak with. Her name?”
“Lindsey Meyers.”
She typed her name into the computer and did a few clicks on her mouse. Her eyes moved back and forth across the screen.
“Yep, your name is right here in the file as an authorized party we can speak with.”
“Out of curiosity, did she list anyone else?”
She shook her head. “There’s just one name listed, Mr. Christopher Harrington.”
His eyes narrowed in confusion. Why would my dad’s name be listed in her file?
“Nine,” she said.
“Nine what?”
“That’s how many flowers to buy. She’s nine weeks pregnant.”
Chapter Fourteen
The moment Ava heard the jingle of the doorknob, she ran towards the front door, ready to tell Justin about his father’s insulting offer. He entered with a blank expression upon his face, threw his keys on the table, and collapsed in the first chair near the hall. She stood over him as he lowered his head, rested his elbows on each leg, and ran his hands through his hair. She squatted beside the chair to make eye contact. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
He expelled a heavy sigh and looked at her. “It’s not mine.”
“What?”
“The baby is not mine.”
She searched his eyes for an explanation. “How do you know?”
He explained how he got someone at the doctor’s office to look up Lindsey’s medical records, and she informed him she’s only nine weeks along. “That baby can’t be mine,” he said.
“Because she would have conceived during the time you were missing,” said Ava.
“Yep.”
“Do you think her lie was intentional, or she believes you’re the father?”
“I haven’t confronted her just yet, but I know she lied. I’ll play along until I can figure out why. Believe it or not, that wasn’t the biggest surprise.”
Ava rose to her feet. “What do you mean?”
“For some reason, she listed my father in her medical file. That’s why the lady shared the information. She assumed I was my father.” He rubbed his forehead. “I hope what I’m thinking is not true, but I’ll sit tight until I can piece it all together. The good news is her child isn’t mine, so we can move forward with our lives.”
Ava frowned and turned away. She didn’t know how to begin the conversation about his father’s visit. He grabbed her hand, turning her towards him. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, did you need to talk? I gathered from your text something had upset you.”
She lowered her eyelids and tried to hide the tears that had formed. Without haste, she wiped them, hoping Justin hadn’t notice.
“Hey, what’s going on?” He stood and lifted her chin. “Talk to me.”
“I also have surprising news about your father.”
“You do?” His brows knitted together.
“He was here while you were at the doctor’s office. I was watching television when he entered the house with his key.”
“He just entered without ringing the bell?”
“Yes, and he made it clear he knew I was alone.”
“I’ll talk to him about that. What did he want?”
Ava reached into her back pocket and produced the paper from the memo pad. She handed it to Justin and moved across the foyer to sit on the bottom stair. Justin’s
eyes moved across the paper. “What’s this?” He eyed her with confusion.
“That’s the amount your father offered me to leave you.”
His face turned three shades of red as his narrowed eyes glared in her direction. “He what?!”
“Your father believes I have concocted a money-grab scheme. According to him, it began with a made-up stalking claim against Phillip, and the lawsuit I’d filed for harassment. Both were a ploy to extort money from your mother.”
“Wait. What lawsuit?” He sat beside her on the stair.
“It was Brandon’s idea. I tried to have Phillip arrested for stalking, but I couldn’t because, at that time, the police said he hadn’t committed a crime. So, Brandon reached out to an attorney he knew. He wanted to know if I filed for a protection order could I also sue for harassment. The suit was only to scare him into abiding by the order. After the lawyer began the process, I advised him to drop it because I didn’t want the headache of a lawsuit.”
“My father had to have you investigated for him to dig that up.”
“I also came to the same conclusion.”
“How did he go from the lawsuit to offering you money?”
Ava expelled a breath. “He said you live a life that required certain expectations, and if you don’t, there will be consequences. That’s when he wrote that figure down and handed it to me. I asked what would happen if I didn’t accept his offer. He shot me a menacing look and walked out of the room.”
“Son of a bitch!”
Ava buried her face in her hands.
“Come here.” He wrapped his arms around her.
“I knew he would blame me for Brandon’s actions. Now he has created this false narrative in his mind where I’ve schemed my way into your family.”
He turned her face towards his. “You know that’s not how I feel. This here…” He held the paper with the money offer in the air. “This is trash.” He balled up the paper within his fist and placed a kiss on her forehead. “I’m sure his agenda has zero to do with you.”
“How should we handle him and Lindsey?”
“First, I’m changing the gate code. Today will be the last time he’ll walk in here unannounced. As far as Lindsey, we’re not doing a thing until we figure out our next move and that begins with my father.”
Deceived by You Page 8
