by Claire Adams
I stared at Emily’s mother for a few seconds before shaking my head. “Now I definitely don’t understand what you’re getting at.”
Sally delicately cleared her throat. “You need to understand it wasn’t an equal marriage. Lionel was the one who married into money, not the other way around. Now, not saying he was a pauper, as he was on his way to his first million before getting engaged to Emily, but she brought a fortune with her. Our fortune, really.” She shook her head lightly. “She only works because she wants to, not because she has to. I’d prefer if she joined one of my organizations, but I understand why she does what she does. Just because she works, though, doesn’t mean she’s given up her money or her inheritance once I join my husband in Heaven.”
“I knew she didn’t need to work already.” I nodded slowly, understanding finally starting to creep into my head. “The bastard needs her money.”
The two mothers exchanged glances and then looked back at me.
“I suspect so,” Sally said. “That’s the only thing that makes sense. Even when she filed for divorce, he didn’t try and convince her to stay with him. He practically said good riddance. And now he’s going on and on about getting back together with her?” She snorted. “I don’t believe it for a second.”
I let out a rueful chuckle. “It always comes down to money in the end. I should have known.”
I sighed and had to resist getting up and heading over to Lionel’s place to punch him right then and there. Everything was starting to make a lot more sense, but there wasn’t a lot I could do about it. I didn’t have any evidence to use against Lionel, certainly no more than Emily might have, and they didn’t want me to run him completely into the ground with my resources and contacts.
From what they’d said, the whole situation had turned into a complete farce. Unfortunately, the only thing I could actually offer Emily was emotional support, but she’d pushed me away.
I finished my coffee and stood. “I think I better get going. Please let me know if you hear anything else.”
“Things aren’t over with her, Logan,” Sally said. “It’s just bad timing. Don’t hold it against her. Please.”
“I don’t, but you both have to realize that when all of this is over and done, things might not be the same, no matter how much we want them to be.”
Both of the women looked down, and I turned to leave.
* * *
That night as I lay in bed, my mind raced. Was it too late? Would everything be different like I said?
Emily didn’t push me away because she didn’t care about me. She pushed me away because of Lionel, a man she was about to confront.
Anger, hope, longing. All those emotions tormented me. I’d found love after years of not really caring, maybe not even really believing in it.
Now I’d lost that chance at a true connection with someone else. I’d lost something I never knew I even needed but now missed desperately.
I shook my head and rolled over to grab my phone from my nightstand.
I sent a text to Emily.
Sorry to bother you but was curious. How is Juniper doing?
A good couple of minutes passed before I stopped staring at the phone, waiting for a surprise. I tossed it back on my nightstand.
Of course, she wouldn’t text me back. It was late, and she’d just gotten done telling me she never wanted to see me again. Until Emily had finished her business with Lionel, there was no reason to suspect she’d talk to me.
And that’s assuming she even wanted to after that. Feelings for people were situational. Whatever I felt for her and whatever she felt for me might not be enough to escape the bad memories that came with this part of her life.
It might very well be that Emily needed to leave not just Lionel behind but also me.
I lay back down and stared at the whorls in my ceiling. I’d done all I could. Now the only thing left was to believe in Emily.
I sat up. No. There was something I could do. Something more than offering emotional support.
I grabbed my phone and dialed my mother’s number.
“Logan, is everything all right? Why are you calling me so late?” she said, her breathing heavy as if she’d run to grab the phone.
A spike of guilt ran through me. “Sorry, Mother. I needed a small favor.”
“What’s that?”
“I need you to tell me the name of Emily’s lawyer.”
Chapter Thirty-five
EMILY
Sitting in front of the huge oak conference table next to my lawyer, George, I rubbed my hands together. This was it, my final big showdown with Lionel. It wasn’t how I wanted to spend my Friday afternoon, but this meeting had been two years in coming.
Maybe I should have confronted Lionel sooner. I’d thought I was doing the best thing for Juniper, but given how her daddy had turned out, I was wrong.
George pulled a few documents out of his briefcase, sparing a glance across the table at Lionel’s smirking lawyer.
I grabbed my water bottle and downed half the contents, desperate to coat my parched throat.
My heart thundered, not only from the meeting but also because of the text I’d received from Logan the night before. I’d thought about answering, maybe even explaining, but I didn’t know what I could say. I’d hurt him so badly, and I wasn’t sure he’d be able to forgive me. I couldn’t deal with that yet.
I didn’t have it in me to call him and hear about how I’d made him suffer and have him yell at me. Even if I did deserve it. Juniper was still at risk, and until this meeting was over, I couldn’t allow myself to worry about anyone else but her no matter how much it hurt.
I inhaled through my nose and let it out through my mouth several times. I’d half-wished that I’d had a few glasses of wine before showing up at the meeting to calm my nerves.
Lionel’s lawyer sat across from me, his hair so perfect, it made me want to ruffle it to mess it up. I didn’t like the smug smile on his face. It was like he thought he had the upper hand. I’d show him.
At least my ex-husband hadn’t shown. There were only so many smug faces I could stand.
“We should get started,” George said. “This won’t take long, and I’m sure we all have better things to do, and you told us not to expect your client.” He grinned.
He’d been grinning the entire time I’d been at the office, like he knew some big secret. He’d always been a man who liked his jokes and smiles, but this was downright unnerving. I was more than happy to have my lawyer be the smug and overconfident one.
“No, Mr. Blue has made his wishes clear.” Lionel’s lawyer offered me a thin smile. “And I don’t think my client’s requests are unreasonable. As long as you’re willing to not to argue that point, this meeting will be short.”
“You don’t think full custody is unreasonable?” I shouted.
“Now, now, Emily,” George said, patting me on the arm. “Let’s be civil.”
Lionel’s lawyer stared at me, that same thin smile still plastered on his face. “Yes, let’s be civil.”
“I’m not going to be civil about Lionel trying to steal my daughter.”
He laughed. “He’s her father. It’s hardly stealing. He only wants to alter the custody arrangement.”
“Over my dead body.”
George sighed and shook his head.
The other lawyer shrugged. “Your passion is admirable, ma’am, but it doesn’t change the legal situation.”
Movement to the side caught my attention, and I turned. My stomach lurched. Lionel sauntered into the conference room, looking even smugger than his lawyer. I’d not expected him. From the look on his lawyer’s face, he hadn’t either.
Wonderful. Maybe this was for the best. I wanted to see his face when we finally finished this nonsense once and for all.
Lionel planted himself into a chair directly across from me and glared at me. “I gave you a choice, a good choice that would benefit our family and our daughter, and this is what you d
o? Decide to get your lawyer involved?”
I slammed my fist down on the table. Ouch. The men all jumped slightly in their seats. Even though my hand was now sore, I kept it on the table, determined not to show any weakness in front of Lionel.
“Screw you, Lionel,” I said. “You’re the one who threatened to take Juniper away, so you don’t get to complain about lawyers being involved. Did you really think you could scare me into doing what you want?”
“Calm down, Emily,” George said. “This isn’t helpful.”
“See? She’s out of control.” Lionel said, looking to his lawyer and then mine. He pointed at me. “You’re in for it now. Juniper’s going to be mine unless you stop this garbage and come back to me.”
I opened my mouth to say something but closed it at George’s raised hand.
He chuckled and pushed a thick stack of papers toward Lionel. “I think you should sign this, get up, and walk away, Mr. Blue.”
Lionel and his lawyer peered down at the top document.
After a good thirty seconds, his lawyer frowned. “Something’s wrong. This paperwork says we agree to a temporary full custody order for Emily. I think you have that backward, George.”
My lawyer gave him a huge grin. “No, I figured if you signed it now, it’d save us all a lot of time.” He looked over at Lionel. “Keep in mind if your lawyer fights this, he gets paid no matter what happens, but you’re still going to lose in the end. So it’s in his best interest to fight to the bitter end but not necessarily yours.”
“What are you saying, George?” the other lawyer said, his face reddening.
I glanced over at George. I didn’t mind his confidence, but I wasn’t sure where it was coming from.
He reached into the briefcase and grabbed another small stack of papers. He tossed them in front of Lionel and his lawyer. I realized they weren’t papers, but photographs.
My face heated. I’d seen these pictures before. It was bad enough to see a picture of your husband cheating on you and evidence that he using drugs. It was even worse to see different women in different pictures. Even after two years, my stomach knotted at the direct proof of my ex-husband’s ways.
“We held this back during the divorce,” George said, “but this does a lot to speak to Lionel’s character. I’m sure a judge would agree that a man with a history of drug use is not the best guardian for young Juniper.”
“That’s the card you’re going to try and play?” Lionel glared at me. “You think this will stop anything? It doesn’t change anything. I can still get Juniper, Emily.”
I shot out of my seat. “I’ll die before I give you full custody.”
“What do you think the judge is going to say about you running off to Japan with a man you just met?”
“I think he’s going to say it’s not as bad as sleeping with half of Nashville and using cocaine.”
“Enough,” George shouted.
I blinked and looked his way. I’d never heard George yell the entire time he’d handled cases for me.
Lionel snorted and crossed his arms.
Sinking back into my chair, I kept my angry gaze on my ex-husband. Even though I wasn’t yelling, I still trembled in anger.
Lionel’s lawyer cleared his throat. “Now, I think both sides have good evidence of questionable moral character. So this doesn’t change much.” His voice wavered toward the end.
“Oh, you think so?” George said.
We all looked over at him.
“What do you think’s going to happen when we go to the judge and explain that the good Mr. Blue here has just impregnated a twenty-one-year-old woman? And that you have a history of drug use?”
Lionel’s lawyer winced.
Lionel’s face reddened, and his eyes widened. “How do you even know about that?”
“And for that matter,” George continued, “do you honestly think the judge won’t be interested in the fact that your client is being investigated for insider trading and massive financial fraud?” He laughed. “Talk about questionable moral fiber. I guess he hasn’t been caught stealing from orphans…yet.”
I sat there, my mouth open, staring at George. Pregnant girlfriend? Insider trading? Fraud? The pieces slid into place in my mind. I finally understood what Lionel was up to all along. And a history of drugs? The guy should have been smart enough to stay away to begin with.
“You bastard,” I hissed, turning to face Lionel. “Oh, I see now. Your big plan was to bully me into getting back together so you could take some of my money, and what, give it to your girlfriend and use it to pay for your defense?”
“Worse than that, Emily,” George said, the glee in his voice obvious now. “The investigators have frozen his accounts. I think he wanted a new sugar mama.” He laughed. “Oh, what a sad, sad man.”
Lionel slumped forward, his face in his hand. “This isn’t over. You’re going to get back together with me, or I’ll make your life a living hell. I will—”
“Shut your mouth, Lionel,” I snapped.
“Yes, I think that’s good advice,” George said. “Now, here’s the thing, Mr. Blue, you’re going to sign that fine little document there for temporary full custody.” He looked over at me. “I’m assuming once this all settles down, you’re willing to entertain visitation rights, Emily?”
I nodded once and then smirked at Lionel. “I don’t think my daughter should be around you without supervision until we’re sure you’re not going to prison. From what I’ve heard, you’re looking at more time than Martin Shkreli.”
“It’s a good deal,” George said. “In light of your situation, we’re not even going to ask for any child support.”
“She has plenty of money,” Lionel said through gritted teeth.
“Yes, of course you’d say that, but it doesn’t change the fact that we could get some child support, Mr. Blue.”
“And,” I added, “it seems like you could really use every cent.”
Lionel’s breathing grew ragged. “You haven’t won, Emily. I can win. You’re just being selfish. Not thinking of the family. I’ll win in court.”
“No,” George said. “You won’t. And if you so much as come near my client until this matter is settled, I’ll make sure you’re buried in court for the rest of your life.”
“You going to spend that much money on your lawyer to annoy me, Emily?” He snorted. “What’s this, petty revenge?”
“She doesn’t need to,” George said. “I’ve been informed that any legal fees related to Emily and Juniper will be paid for by Mr. Logan Hawkins.” He leaned forward. “And I think a billionaire can afford my hourly rates just fine, Mr. Blue.”
The mention of Logan gave me a start. How did he even know about any of this?
Lionel’s lawyer pulled a pen from his pocket and pushed it over to Lionel. “Sign it. It’s the only way you’ll have any chance of seeing your daughter again. And I’ll be honest, Lionel, the last thing you need is more legal trouble right now.”
My ex-husband snatched the pen from the table and scribbled his signature on the top page.
“This doesn’t change anything,” he said. “You’re still a selfish bitch, Emily, and you always have been.”
“Now, now, Mr. Blue,” George said. “There’s no cause to speak like that.”
Lionel scribbled a few more signatures on the next few pages and then all but jumped out of his seat. He stormed out of the office.
His lawyer stood with a weary sigh. We watched him place his pen and other documents back in his briefcase and leave without another word, a look of utter defeat on his face.
“I can’t believe it,” I whispered. “It’s all over.” I let out a yelp of joy. “It’s all over. Thank the Lord.”
“Yes, Emily, it is,” George said. “I’ve been doing this a long time, so I don’t see any reasons why the court won’t accept it.”
Euphoria washed over me. Tears of happiness dripped down my cheeks, but a few slivers of doubt remained even in my wond
erful haze.
“How did you find out all that about Lionel?” I said.
“Logan Hawkins called me to pass along the information,” George said. “That was when he also made the offer about funding any legal expenses, regardless of what was involved.”
I shook my head. I couldn’t believe it. After the way I treated him, he had still helped me.
“Go out, Emily,” George said. “Have a good time. I’ll have that paperwork in front of a judge by Monday, and you’ll have full custody. If Lionel wants to behave, then we can think about changing the custody arrangement, but now you’re the one who makes the call, not him.”
I smiled warmly. “Thank you, George.” I closed my eyes.
“Thank you, Logan,” I whispered.
Chapter Thirty-six
LOGAN
By Saturday afternoon, I was sitting in my living room sipping on some coffee and going through some work emails on my phone. In theory, I worked Monday through Friday, but the world didn’t stop because I left the office, so I spent a lot of time reading and writing emails and texts even on the weekends.
Silence reigned in the house. The boys were asleep in another room, and Arla wasn’t there, as I’d given her the day off. I wasn’t so helpless that I couldn’t survive a couple of days without her.
Still, it was hard to sit there by myself. Even with my work to distract me, it was hard for my mind not to drift to other topics, such as a certain brown-haired woman and her rambunctious daughter.
When I’d talked to her lawyer the other day, he seemed downright delighted at the information I’d passed along. I wasn’t sure how much help it’d be or not, as it wasn’t like I had a bunch of evidence to back it up. I figured, though, the truth would be enough to unnerve Lionel.
I still had no idea if that information had actually helped Emily. She still hadn’t responded to my previous text, so I didn’t bother trying to contact her again.
I also resisted the urge to contact my mother or Sally. Our mothers might have set us up, but our relationship needed to live or die by our own actions. The last thing I needed at this critical point was an overbearing mother pushing away any chance of us getting back together.
