by Roxy Wilson
“What happened? What are you talking about?”
“You‘ve the nerve to pretend that you don’t know anything?” she hissed. Even in her anger, she couldn’t forget that Mellie was sleeping nearby. The walls of her apartment were thin, and she didn’t want her daughter marred by any trauma.
“I repeat, what the hell are you talking about?” He frowned.
Jamie strode over to the side table where the envelope was still sitting. She picked it up and flung it at him. “I’m talking about this.”
He slid the papers out of the envelope and skimmed through them, flipping the pages back and forth. His eyes widened in surprise. If she didn’t know how good an actor he was, she would’ve been taken in by his horrified expression. “I swear to you I didn’t know about this.”
“Right.” She crossed her arms. “So your lawyer drafted up these papers and forged your signatures on them and delivered them to me just for the heck of it?”
Brett ran a hand over his face. “Okay. I admit I told him to get the papers ready. I even signed them...”
“Get out!” Jamie lost her cool. She simply couldn’t tolerate being in the same room with him anymore. “I mean it, Brett.”
He lifted his hands, palms up. “Listen to me, Jamie. These papers were drafted when you were keeping Melissa away from me. And I assure you, I gave Lee…my lawyer, strict instructions not to file any of these papers until I gave him the word.”
“So you admit that you got the papers ready. Why the hell should I listen to anything you say now?” Jamie felt the tears welling in her eyes. She’d never been so humiliatingly betrayed in her entire life. To think that she’d actually harbored thoughts about loving him. How could she have been so foolish?
“I swear I never intended to send you this notice. This must be a mistake.” He waved the papers.
Jamie couldn’t bear to look at him anymore. “Please leave. I’ll see you in court. There’s nothing more I want to say to you.”
“Jamie...” He took a step towards her but when she turned away, he stopped. After a moment’s hesitation, he put the papers down on the table. “I’ll prove to you that this was one big mistake.”
Her breath hitched in her throat as he walked out. After she was sure that he’d indeed gone, Jamie dropped down on her knees and finally allowed the tears to escape.
Her heart felt as if it had been broken into a million pieces. She’d never ever been so hurt, so anguished, over a man before. No matter how hard she had denied it, she loved Brett, and his betrayal had shattered all her illusions. She couldn’t believe that everything was built on lies and deception. He wanted to take Mellie away from her, so he weakened her resolved, wooed her, won her heart, made her believe that he’d felt the same. And all along, it had all been a lie, a hurtful, vicious, malicious lie, and nothing in her life would ever heal the damage he’d caused.
****
Brett Carrington glared at Lee, his lawyer, who in turn glared at his own assistant. “I specifically told you to hold these papers and not to submit them.”
“But then you told me to send Brett’s papers,” she protested.
“I told you to submit the papers to get permissions for his next movie, Riana. For God’s sake, keep up!” he shouted at her. “Your foolish and irresponsible actions have caused him a lot of grief. Now, either you submit your resignation or I’m going to be forced to fire you. God knows I’ve got sufficient grounds to do it, I’ve sent you a stack of warning letters a mile high.”
She tossed her blonde hair. “Fine. I’ll resign. Didn’t enjoy working here anyway. Too much work, not enough play.” She flounced off.
Lee turned to face Brett. “I’m sorry about this misunderstanding, Brett. She’s the niece of one of the partners, and I took her on only at his insistence.”
Brett tapped his fingers on the conference table. He was seated in Lee’s office and was expecting Jamie to show up with her lawyer any minute now. “Are the new papers ready?”
Lee produced the folder from his briefcase. “I worked on them personally. You’ll find them quite satisfactory. Barring any other unforeseen eventuality, I expect this is not going to take too long.”
Brett studied the folder. His world had collapsed three days ago when Jamie kicked him out of her apartment. Not that he blamed her. If the situation was reversed, he would’ve reacted in the same manner. Now, all he hoped was to salvage this situation as best as he could. Without Jamie, his life had no meaning, no purpose.
He couldn’t afford to lose her.
As he studied the papers, he heard the door open and glanced up to see Jamie stride in with her lawyer. Even in anger, she looked magnificent. How he could have made such a blunder and was now teetering on the edge of losing the best thing in his life, he didn’t know, but he was going to do whatever it took to win her back.
“Jamie doesn’t have a lot of time, so let’s hurry these proceedings along,” said her lawyer as he sat, took out the papers from his briefcase, and spread them on the table.
“This won’t take long,” assured Lee.
“My client has been served with this notice that asks her to give up her guardianship rights over the minor who was left in her care by the late mother of the child.” The lawyer read from his notes. “She wishes for me to convey to you that she isn’t going to make any deals in this matter. She has been taking care of the child for the past ten months and intends to do so until Melissa is old enough to shoulder her own responsibility.”
“Mr. Carrington is the biological father of Melissa.”
“If you don’t wish to withdraw this notice, I suggest we adjourn this meeting right now. We’ll see you in the family court.”
“Your client has no legal rights over the child as yet,” said Lee. “She wouldn’t win custody.”
“As I said, we’ll see you in court.” The lawyer began to shove his papers back in the briefcase.
“Wait! I have something to offer.” Brett pushed the papers towards the lawyer. “It’s a new deal.”
“Jamie’s not ready to make any deals.”
“Why don’t you read this first?” said Brett. His gaze was fixed on Jamie who was steadfastly looking at the desk.
Her lawyer picked up the papers, read them, frowned, and put them down. “Is this a joke?”
“It’s not a joke,” Brett assured him.
The lawyer passed the papers on to Jamie. “Please, read them.”
As she began reading the papers, Brett saw her eyes widen. She glanced at him.
“This is what I want,” Brett told her.
For a few seconds she didn’t say anything. Finally, Jamie cleared her throat, leaned forward. “You’re willing to let me adopt Mellie and share joint custody with you?”
“Yes.” He nodded. “You’re her mother, the one who’s devoted to her. I can’t imagine raising her without you. This...” He gestured at his lawyer. “This was a mistake. I never intended to file those papers.”
“My assistant made a mistake, much to my embarrassment. Brett’s specific instructions were not to file any papers,” said his lawyer.
“I see.” She put the papers down, her hands trembling. “May I have a few moments alone with Brett?”
“Of course,” said Lee as he stood. Brett watched as both the lawyers filed out.
“I’m sorry, Jamie. Believe me; I got the paperwork ready before I’d even met Melissa. It was never meant to be filed. I’d all but forgotten about it.” He ran a hand through his hair. “In fact, after I saw the way you were with Melissa, how much you both each other, I banished all thoughts of taking over her custody. You’re her rock, her safety net. I would’ve been an ass to even think about snatching her away from you. All I wanted is...”
She frowned when he stopped talking. “What?”
“Ah, nothing.” He cleared his throat. “This isn’t how I’d planned it.”
Jamie stood and walked over to him. “I think we’ve had enough misunderstandings between
us. Whatever you want, say it now.”
“It’s just that this isn’t how I pictured it. I’m a director, for God’s sake. I should be able to choose my own setting.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” she said as he stood.
“I thought when I asked you to marry me, it would be in a nice, romantic place, with beautiful music, and...”
She stared at him, mouth agape. “You were planning to ask me to marry you?”
“Yes, damn it! I even got the ring. Which I don’t have on me right now because, of course, I wasn’t going to ask you here. I had it all planned.”
“I see.”
He thrust his hands into his pockets. “No. You don’t see. I want us to be a family, not because of Melissa, but because I love you, and I think...you love me too. We belong together. We would be happy together, dammit. Of course, I’m bound to screw up once or twice, but if you’re patient, we could have a good life together. It’s not going to be easy, not all hearts and roses.” He took out his hands again. “I mean, I do travel a lot and I was hoping you would accompany me at times, and I could cut back some on the work. We could...” He stopped talking when she moved forward and put her fingers on his lips to make him quiet down.
“Go back to the part where you said you love me, please.” She removed her hand.
Had he bungled up this proposal or what? This wasn’t how he had imagined doing it. But now that he’d put his foot in the mouth, he may as well make it work. Brett bent on his knee, and took her hand in his. “Jamie, I was attracted to you, even when the fire was burning bright in your eyes, and you wanted me out of the door, and out of your and Melissa’s life. And then I fell in love with you: your mind, your body, your soul. You’re the one for me, baby, and there’s no other place I would rather be, than with you. Marry me, Jamie. Be mine.”
Her lips curved in a smile. “I love you too, Brett. And, yes, I will marry you.”
Beaming, he pulled her into his arms. As his lips met hers, he knew that everything was going to be all right.
Epilogue
Three years later
Jamie adjusted her dress as she got ready to step out of the car. She wore an elegant holly berry colored one-shoulder dress, with an empire waistline. Jamie accessorized her chiffon dress with matching diamond and ruby earrings that Brett had gifted her on their third anniversary. The sleeveless gown was fitted just below her breasts, but fell into delicate layers below her waist. “I can’t believe you dragged me out for this. Look at all those photographers.”
Brett smiled as he gazed at her. Love shone in his eyes. “You look beautiful.”
She tried to suck in her stomach, but of course, it refused to go in. “I’m eight months pregnant and…”
“And you’re the most gorgeous pregnant woman in the world,” he assured her.
Jamie took a deep breath as the car came to a halt. Here we go again! She still hadn’t gotten used to the fact that her husband was one of the most celebrated directors in the country. His last movie, A Single Rose, had done a business worth millions of dollars. And he was expected to win quite a few awards for it. Although she enjoyed the glamour and the accolades that came their way, she much preferred their quiet life in New York.
But today was special. She hadn’t been able to refuse him when he asked her to accompany him. How could she miss one of the high-points in his career?
Melissa was with the babysitter back at the hotel, but she would be all right. At five years of age, she was quite a mature and friendly child.
“Oh well! Let’s go.”
When they stepped out, Jamie gripped his hand as the flashbulbs nearly made her blind. “Be strong, sweetheart,” he encouraged her. “We’ll be home in two days, and I’m not going anywhere for work for the next six months,” he told her.
Jamie looked down at their linked hands. The pink diamond engagement ring shone with as much brilliance as the camera flashlights, and next to it, her elegant wedding band glinted. “Eight months,” she said emphatically as he guided her on the red carpet.
He sighed. “All right. Eight months it is, but only if you promise me that you’d go on a vacation with me when Peanut’s six months old. Somewhere exotic and fancy. Just the four of us. The perfect family.”
“Thought I told you not to refer to my son as ‘Peanut’.” Jamie grinned.
“Come on, baby, don’t try to change the subject. You’re supposed to promise me something.”
“What was that again? You have to remind me.”
Brett her nibbled at her ear, even as the paparazzi snapped dozens of pictures. “Promise me that the four of us will go on a much-needed vacation.”
Jamie stifled a giggled. “A promise it is.”
***THE END***
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About the Author
Roxy Wilson, a self-professed book junkie, was born and bred in a beautiful island in the Caribbean.
As a graduate with a degree in Education, she writes blogs which help readers to think critically about and appreciate poetry. Recently, however, she decided to delve into the world of writing interracial and multicultural romance stories. Her debut novel is the Right Kind of Love and was published by Secret Cravings Publishing. Roxy is also the Reviews Coordinator of Romance Novels in Color (RNIC).
When Roxy isn’t reading or writing, she spends her time trying out recipes with her daughter, designing and dress making, listening to music of the 80’s and 90’s or engaging in her favorite workout routine, which is 1-clicking a new book to read, to her heart’s content.
To find out more about Roxy Wilson, check her out:
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Other books by Roxy Wilson…
Baby Wanted (A Bundle of Joy)
The Baby Proposal (A Bundle of Joy)
Work It Out
The Right Kind of Love (Loving A Morrison)
He’s So Into You (Healing Hearts)
