Monique Chandler turns in her seat to flash us a demure look full of innocence, but I’m not fooled. What the fuck kind of game is she playing? Now I know why the normally unflappable Max is so rattled. Wait, does this mean that Monique is April Chester? Was that what he was trying to tell me? I get to my feet, causing the judge to look at me in surprise. “Your honor, with all due respect, I, for one, would like an explanation before we go any further.”
He gives me a look full of confusion as he asks, “What type of explanation, Mr. Quinn?”
Max gets to his feet as well and places a hand on my arm. “What Mr. Quinn means is that the woman you know as April Chester has long been known to my clients as Monique Chandler. Until this moment, they had no idea of her identity nor that she was in some way related to Ms. Wyatt. Before we begin, Your Honor, it seems only fair to Mr. Quinn and Mr. Spencer that this confusion be cleared up.”
Monique’s lawyer, Mr. Banks, gets to his feet and gives us a polished smile. “If it’s all right with you, of course, Your Honor, I would be happy to give these gentlemen an explanation on behalf of Ms. Chester.” The judge waves him on, looking more than interested in this new information. “Ms. Chester was married briefly when she graduated college. Her spouse was abusive and she sought a restraining order to protect herself. This order was repeatedly violated and Ms. Chester was advised by her legal counsel at that time to legally change her name. For this to be successful, she was forced to distance herself from her family and relocate. She left behind her father and her stepmother, who was also the mother of Cassie Wyatt.” The lawyer hands the judge a folder saying, “This contains the supporting paperwork for the information I’ve revealed.”
Running a hand through my hair, I attempt to make sense of what Monique’s lawyer has said. “So, let me get this straight,” I say, addressing my question to Monique. “You’ve known about Cassie since your father married her mother?” I find it damn hard to believe that Cassie would have kept a stepsister to herself.
Monique looks at her lawyer, only answering my question when he gives her a nod. “I knew that my stepmother had a daughter from a previous relationship, but I didn’t find out her identity until a few years ago when my stepmother passed away. I was helping my father sort through her things and came across a copy of Cassie’s birth certificate. My father was concerned about her welfare so I told him I would attempt to locate her, having no idea she was in a mental hospital.”
Beside me, Aidan gives a snort of disbelief. “So, you didn’t think to mention any of this to me while we were seeing each other?” he asks Monique sarcastically. “You led me to believe that you knew Cassie from college.”
Looking so sincere that even I have a hard time not falling for it, Monique looks at Aidan with wide, teary eyes as she says, “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I found myself in a difficult position and I had no idea what I should do until I spent time with Cassie at the hospital. After that, I just couldn’t walk away and hope she would be okay. I owe it to my stepmother to make sure that she has the best care possible. Both you and Lucian have done so much for her. It’s not fair to either of you to continue letting you shoulder the responsibility, though. My father and I feel that she needs her family now.”
“Your Honor,” Max begins, “in light of this unusual situation, I’ll ask you again if you’ll consider granting a continuance so we may be better prepared.”
Considering his earlier refusal, I’m surprised when the judge says, “I think these are indeed special circumstances, Counselor. We’ll reconvene here at nine in one week.” When Max opens his mouth, possibly to ask for more time, the judge adds, “That’s all the leeway I can offer. A young woman’s care is at stake here. I’m sure you’ll agree that her needs take precedence at this time.” Monique and her lawyer stand, leaving the room quickly. She probably hopes not to be waylaid by any of us on her way out.
Max, Aidan, and I are slower to depart, still reeling from what has just transpired. We’re on the courthouse steps before Aidan finally says, “What in the fucking hell just happened in there?”
Max shakes his head. “My investigator called me right before I got here. I was hoping to catch you both before earlier, but no such luck.”
“There is no way that I believe all of this is a coincidence. Monique goes after both Aidan and me, even though she knows our connection to Cassie. She sought us out after finding out who we were,” I snap, needing an outlet for my frustration.
“I agree.” Aidan nods. “This is all some kind of game to her. We just need to figure out what her goal is before next week.”
Max looks at his watch and then nudges me in the shoulder. “Hey, Lia’s graduation begins in less than an hour. It’ll probably take close to that to get through the traffic, park, and find a seat.”
“Let’s go.” Aidan starts walking toward where we’ve parked our cars on the street. “I don’t want to piss the little momma off and put her into labor. Come on, I’ll drive. We need to regroup before we get there because, right now, we look like someone took a serious dump in our oatmeal.”
“That’s lovely imagery, Aidan. Thanks,” Max says dryly as he gets into the backseat of Aidan’s BMW. I take the passenger side and do my best to shake off my foul mood. Aidan is right, this is Lia’s day, and I don’t want any shadows over it. She’s worked too hard and deserves to bask in her accomplishments for one day before I heap more of my fucked-up life on her tomorrow. Maybe everyone has a point. I should marry her now before she wises up and runs like hell.
Lia
I feel a hand on my shoulder as a voice says near my ear, “How’re my girls doing?” I turn and Lucian immediately pulls me into his arms and drops a kiss on my head.
“I was starting to wonder if you were going to make it,” I tease, even though I had actually been getting a little nervous. Lucian is so much a part of my life that I can’t imagine celebrating this milestone without him. He’s smiling gently down at me, but his body feels tense against mine. It makes me more determined than ever to find out what’s been bothering him the last few days. We promised no more secrets between us and I intend to see that he honors that.
I hear a throat clear behind me and then Aidan is there, pulling me from Lucian’s arms. “Release your woman so I can give her a big, inappropriately long hug of congratulations.” I giggle as Lucian scowls. For a moment, I feel like a Raggedy Ann doll as Lucian holds one hand while Aidan pulls on the other.
Rose steps up and throws an arm around Lucian’s shoulders, distracting him sufficiently for Aidan to tug me away. “Come on, Quinn, I’ll give you a hug so you won’t feel left out.” When he throws a disgruntled look at Aidan, Rose laughs and says, “I know I’m a poor substitute for Lia, but could you at least try to act excited about it?” I giggle as Rose fans herself dramatically over Lucian’s shoulder. For the first time, I notice Max standing off to the side not looking in the least amused over Rose’s silent praise of Lucian’s hotness.
When Aidan releases me, I immediately walk over to Max and give him a hug as well. “It’s so good to see you again,” I say and mean it. In the time Lucian and I have been together, I’ve grown very fond of his friends.
“You look beautiful, Lia,” he says as he indicates my baby bump. “That looks good on you,” and then pointing to Lucian he adds, “and on him as well.”
I feel my cheeks flushing as I say shyly, “Thanks, Max.” I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to this group of good-looking men that now seem to be family to me. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder, they simply ooze power and confidence as they harass each other good-naturedly. I see Rose and Max trying their best not to stare at each other and wonder what will become of them. At the very least, there’s a wild attraction there. Lucian doesn’t want me to interfere, but how am I supposed to sit by and watch my friend let what I suspect would be the best thing to ever happen to her get away?
“There she is.” I turn to see my father, Lee Jacks, walking toward me with his bro
ther Peter and a dark-haired woman I don’t immediately recognize following closely behind.
I give him a smile of genuine pleasure as he clasps me to him for a moment before Peter does the same. “I’m so glad you could come,” I enthuse. Lee had seemed so touched when I’d invited him while we were having breakfast one morning. He’d held the invitation in his hands as if it were something far more valuable than just a piece of paper with some writing on it.
Lee gives me a look full of admiration as he says, “There is no way I’d miss your graduation. I’m so proud of you.”
As Peter echoes his brother’s sentiments, I turn my attention to the woman accompanying them and it hits me. “Kara?” I ask uncertainly. The one time I’d met Peter’s daughter she’d looked very similar to me with long, wavy blonde hair.
She steps forward, giving me a shy grin. Pointing to her hair she says, “I know I must look different. I…decided it was time for a change.”
“I really like it,” I say sincerely. If I’m honest, it was rather disconcerting knowing there was someone in the world who resembled me so much. I had been stunned the first time I met her in Lee’s office. Of course, since I look so much like Lee, it was only natural that Kara would resemble both her father and her uncle. “It’s great to see you again.” I make the introductions between those who haven’t met yet. Aidan’s eyes linger a bit longer on Kara and I find myself wishing he could find someone to care about—other than Cassie. From what Lucian has told me, she’s the only woman he’s ever loved and if the dark circles under his eyes are any indication, it’s beginning to wear heavily on him. I wonder if that is what Lucian has been so stressed about?
I hear an announcement for the graduating class to take their places so I give Lucian a quick kiss before telling everyone that I’ll see them afterward. It seems like hours before the last speech is given. Since my last name begins with an A, I’m one of the first on the stage when the diplomas are given out. I hear a small section of the audience cheering loudly and cut my eyes that way to see Aidan whooping loudly while Lucian claps, looking ecstatic. Max stands on the other side of Aidan looking resigned as if he had tried to quiet his friend but failed. My father, Peter, and Kara are also on their feet, smiling broadly. I find myself a little teary-eyed at this show of support. Even in my wildest dreams when I imagined making it through college, I would have never believed I’d have a family here to witness it. Most of them are here as a direct result of meeting and loving Lucian Quinn. Without him, I would have never met Max or Aidan. Lee wouldn’t have known he had a daughter had Lucian not been checking into my past, causing enough curiosity from the other man to look deeper into Lucian—thus finding me. Every beautiful moment in my life happened because, by some miracle, Lucian chose me, accepted me, and loves me. Something I never thought I’d have.
I remain in my seat as each of my classmates take the stage. When it’s Rose’s turn, I’m right there with our other friends, whistling and yelling. It hits me then that she never mentioned anything about her family earlier. Surely, they are here for her big day. When the service ends, the first question out of my mouth to her is, “Are your mother and father here?”
“They were here earlier this morning for their photo op,” she says dismissively.
“But what about the ceremony?” I ask, confused by her answer. I mean, I never expected my mother would attend—even if she wasn’t in jail—but I always thought Rose had fairly normal parents. Well, a bit gun-obsessed, but no one’s perfect.
She rolls her eyes and gives a sarcastic laugh. “My daddy got special permission for me to hold my diploma while they had a professional photographer take a lot of ‘happy, dedicated parent photos.’ They’ll have one of them put in our hometown newspaper and frame one to add to the other carefully posed pictures in our house.”
“Wouldn’t it have just been easier for them to attend than to go through all of that just to give the illusion that they did?” I don’t want to offend her, but it sounds crazy to me—and that’s saying something considering my own family.
Snorting, she says, “My parents don’t do well with crowds or the general population. Trust me, if they were here, my mother would constantly pump her hands full of hand sanitizer while my father pretended to be a good ol’ boy, inwardly cringing when forced to speak to anyone socially beneath him. He’s good; I’ll give him that. He can make you believe you’re the best of buddies, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. He doesn’t do friends; he does allies, until they’re no longer useful to him.”
This is the most she’s ever said about her parents and my heart breaks for my friend. I’m beginning to see why Rose has the sort of hang-ups she does. I have a feeling the considerable freedom I always thought she had was just a carefully crafted facade. A man like that doesn’t turn one of his possessions loose without knowing exactly where it is at all times. In my heart, I know my suspicions are true—we have more in common than I would have ever thought. Linking my arm through hers, I pull her to where Lucian is waiting. “You’re coming to Leo’s with us.” Lucian had asked me a few days ago what I wanted to do for my graduation and I told him dinner at Leo’s, of course. It’s our special place and I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather celebrate my graduation with the people who mean the most to me.
Lucian
“Neither of us deserves her, you know.” I incline my head, acknowledging the truth of Lee’s statement. I had rented out Leo’s for the evening, so it’s a cozy gathering of just friends and family. Debra and Martin had missed Lia’s graduation due to Debra’s last-minute emergency appendicitis. My aunt had come straight to Leo’s from work and was catching up with Aidan. The meal has been over for some time and I have moved to the outskirts of the room, just enjoying the scene before me. My eyes are drawn repeatedly to the woman I love. She is vibrant in her silky, blue dress as she laughs at something Rose is saying.
“Maybe not,” I finally say, “but I’ll never let her go. I need her too much.” He gives me a look of satisfaction and approval. I think I’ve just passed some kind of parental test, which is both amusing and strangely touching. I’ve heard somewhere that parents form a bond with and love their children from the moment they’re born. If those kind of instant feelings are possible, then I think Lee fell in love with Lia the day he discovered he had an adult daughter. Because that’s what I see when he looks at her—unconditional love. It’s funny when I think about it now. I would have never picked Lee to be Lia’s father. The little I know of him would have been enough to convince me that much like her mother, Lee was not, nor was it possible for him to be, a loving parent. It goes to show how wrong some appearances can be. In my gut, I’m certain that, like me, he would lay his life at her feet and never utter a protest.
“I can’t fathom how something so delicate survived and thrived as she did,” he marvels. “The odds were stacked so heavily against her. She shouldn’t have made it.”
“Don’t confuse her small size with fragility. Her spine is made of solid steel,” I murmur as I watch her get to her feet. She points toward the back, letting me know she’s going to the restroom. She blows me a kiss and I catch it, before bringing it to my heart.
A hand claps my shoulder and Lee laughs heartily. “Yeah, you’ve got it bad, son, and I couldn’t be happier about that.”
Lia
I yawn as I leave the bathroom stall, knowing I’m not going to last much longer. My bedtime has gotten earlier and earlier over the last month. It’s almost ten now, which is late for me. I’m sure Lucian would be thrilled if I requested he take me home to bed—now. I’m smiling as I walk toward the sink, when I see someone sitting on the chair in the corner. I don’t recognize her at first—thinking maybe she’s an employee—then my jaw drops. “What’re you doing here, Monique?” I snap, unable to believe what I’m seeing. I haven’t seen her in quite a while and now I find myself in the restroom with her? How in the world did she manage to get into a private party? I can’t imagi
ne that Leo let her in.
“Hello there, little Lucy,” she taunts as she steps up to the mirror beside me. I smooth my dress down and hate myself for it when she points to my stomach. “There’s not much you can do to hide that I’m afraid.”
I drop my hand and square my shoulders. “I have no desire to. I’m carrying Lucian’s child and I couldn’t be happier about it.” Take that, Cruella! Actually, the nickname I gave her on the first night we met is starting to seem far too nice now. I think I should just go with Rose’s pick of a crazy bitch. It has a better ring to it.
She pretends to study her nails, but I know better. She’s regrouping and getting ready to lob a bomb my way—she’s nothing if not predictable. “That’s really sweet, dear,” she says in a voice that almost has me fooled. “I’m sure you think you’ve hit the jackpot by getting yourself pregnant with Luc’s baby. You have a direct line to his wallet for the next eighteen years. I’ll admit, I really underestimated you, Lucy. So, bravo!”
I’m shaking in anger now, clenching my fists to keep from doing her bodily harm. “Listen, Cruella,” I hiss and almost smile when she looks taken aback by the name, “don’t judge me by your own standards. Lucian and I are having a child together because we love each other. I couldn’t care less about his bank balance. I never have. Just because you’ve done everything short of begging him to stay with you doesn’t mean I’ve had to resort to the same. What man could respect someone so…desperate?”
In the land of insults, I feel like I’ve hit both an epic high and a malicious low. For a moment, I think I’ve rattled her, but she recovers quickly and gives me a pitying smile. “You know, there was another woman who thought she’d get Luc in just the same way. What makes you think you’ll be any more successful than she was?”
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