The Way Champions Love

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The Way Champions Love Page 14

by Tina Martin


  “It was before I knew you were pregnant. I was on the way to your hospital room to talk to you about saving us when the doctor stopped me. It was only then that I knew you were pregnant, Savannah.”

  “Well, whatever the case, it’s too late. I’m done begging. I won’t implore you to love me anymore the same way I won’t beg my parents to accept my life choices. When the baby arrives, you can see him or her whenever you like but I know where I stand when it comes to you and a relationship.”

  “Savannah—”

  “You said you could easily file for a divorce since we never lived together,” she said, her voice broken and distorted. “Go ahead and file. Move on with your life. I’m sorry you’ve been unhappy and I’m sorry marriage didn’t work for us. Goodbye, Harding.”

  The tone signaling she’d ended the call left his heart in pain. He threw a hand on his chest and fell back into the nearest chair like the verbal blow he’d received knocked him off of his feet. Now what was he going to do? He’d done all the bickering with her to get her to leave and go home – telling her that their marriage was over, but now he didn’t want it to be over. In fact, he never wanted it to be over. He wanted to teach her a lesson. He wanted to take himself out of the equation of her life so she could make some difficult choices. Mainly, he wanted to see if she would choose him over her fancy life. Over the money. Over her parents. She had, and instead of accepting that, he listened to her beg, listened to her cry all because of the grudge he’d held. Now, he was learning the hard way that playing with a woman’s heart was the work of a foolish man. And he’d been just that. Foolish.

  Chapter 31

  Tuesday morning after not getting a minute of sleep, Harding found himself sitting behind his desk at work feeling like he’d lost his best friend. His heart ached at the thought that it was over between them – that Savannah was still in Asheville and he was back home in Wilmington without her. He didn’t even know if she would come back. Or maybe she’d go back home to Charleston and resume her life with her parents.

  Her parents…

  His hands tightened into fists that he pounded on top of his desk. Her parents were the root cause of all of their problems. He should’ve taken Mordecai’s advice and confronted her parents himself, but he chose a route that eventually led to a dead end.

  He sighed heavily and lowered his head. How could I be so stupid? He rubbed his eyes and then glanced at the clock. He had a client to get to but had no idea how he was going to make it through the day feeling like this?

  * * *

  Dante looked up when Phyllis – the administrator who worked at the first-floor receptionist desk – opened the door to let Savannah inside.

  “Thank you, Phyllis.”

  “You’re welcome, Sir.” Phyllis closed the door.

  Savannah walked in, looking around his well-decorated office, loving the layout – the in-office conference table, couch, coffee table and the two, high-back chairs that sat facing his desk. It reminded her of her father’s office at the law firm.

  “Thanks for coming,” he said, sitting behind his desk in a black suit. Black tie. Black shirt.

  The dark colors he wore emphasized the bright color of his hazel eyes. Jeez. He looked too much like Harding and Harding was the last person she wanted to see right now or be reminded of. To cut the meeting short before it even began, she said, “I know why you asked me here, Dante, and given the status of my relationship, or shall I say lack thereof with your half brother, I don’t think it would be wise for me to work with the corporation in any capacity. I’m going to have to pass.”

  Dante shot her a grin, watching her stand near the door like she wanted to make a run for it. Before she could, he said, “Have a seat, Savannah,” gesturing towards one of the chairs facing his massive desk.

  “Didn’t you hear what I just said?” she asked.

  “Yes. Loud and clear. Please. Have a seat.”

  She moved across the floor in the jeans and black sweater she had on with a pair of black, suede booties. She sat down and crossed her legs.

  Dante stared at her for a moment as he tapped a silver pen on his desktop. “You’re declining my offer based on something that hasn’t happened yet. You don’t know what your relationship with Harding will be like a week from now. Two weeks from now, or—”

  “I know it’s over,” Savannah cut in to say.

  Dante’s jaw clenched. He knew it was probably second nature for her to be argumentative, but could she not listen to anyone else’s point of view besides her own? “Let’s say you’re right and it is over. What are you going to do now that you think your marriage is over, Savannah?”

  “Dante, I know you mean well, but this is between me and Harding.”

  “See, that’s where you’re wrong.”

  She lifted a brow. “How do you figure?”

  Dante dropped his pen and threaded his fingers together. “You’re the one who showed up at my house uninvited to see Harding. He wasn’t ready to talk to you but you commandeered your way here and tried to force a conversation with him.”

  “But—”

  “Let me finish,” Dante said firmly. “You two argued in front of us, all of us, without reserve, and you think this dispute going on between yourself and Harding is just between you guys?” Dante smiled blankly and leaned forward in full business mode. “This is so much bigger than you and Harding. You’re pregnant with Harding’s baby which means the baby you’re carrying is my niece or nephew. That baby is a part of my father. That baby has my family’s blood pumping through it.”

  Savannah hadn’t thought about it that way. Dante had a point – one of which she couldn’t dispute.

  “Harding is my half-brother and I love him as if I’ve known him my entire life. And I know that Harding loves you, Savannah. You love him, too. Am I right?”

  “It’s not that si—”

  “Do you love him?” Dante asked.

  “Yes,” Savannah said, flustered. “I love Harding, but that doesn’t mean I want him back in my life. He really did hurt me.”

  “You hurt each other, wouldn’t you say?”

  “I would. I know I hurt him which is why I was trying so hard to make our situation right. I tried. He wasn’t trying. Now, you’re trying to shove the blame on me.”

  “I’m not blaming anyone. I’m trying to keep my family together,” Dante said.

  Savannah studied his eyes when he said those words. He was serious, deeply concerned and she could tell he truly wanted what he said he wanted.

  Dante walked around his desk to sit in the chair next to her. “Let’s put that conversation on hold for now.”

  Thank God, Savannah thought.

  Dante drew in a breath. “My brothers and I have reviewed your credentials and I’m prepared to offer you the job in our legal department.”

  With her head titled, Savannah asked, “You’re going to offer me a position within your corporation without so much as an interview or a background check?”

  “Yes. Your skills speak for themselves. As for the background check, my legal department has already done a full background sweep on you. Now, how does 300K a year sound with full benefits and company perks?”

  Eyebrows raised, Savannah said, “My parents didn’t even pay me that much.”

  “Well, this is a different environment. Different cases.”

  Curiosity piqued, she asked, “If I took your offer, what would my hours be?”

  “Nine to five. If you choose to work beyond those parameters, it will be strictly your decision.”

  She scratched her head. The offer was too good to be true. Unfortunately, living in a transitional state had her unsure about what to do at the moment. “I don’t know, Dante.”

  “What aren’t you sure about?”

  She gave a half shrug. “The offer sounds amazing, but I have too much going on right now.”

  “Where do you go from here if you don’t accept my offer?” Dante asked.

  She s
miled uncomfortably. “I don’t know the answer to that. I need to find my own way, Dante, and I feel like you’re trying to bail me out by offering me this job.”

  “I’m offering you a legit position within a multi-million-dollar organization. I tell you what,” he said standing. “Why don’t you take a few days to think it over and give me a call when you make a decision?”

  “Okay,” she said standing. “That, I can do.”

  He reached to shake her hand and she accepted. “Don’t think too long,” he said. “You may make the wrong decision.”

  A small smile appeared on her face. “I’ll be in touch. Thanks for the opportunity.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Chapter 32

  “Harding, is that you?” Florence yelled from the kitchen.

  “Yeah, it’s me.” Harding walked straight to the kitchen and embraced his apron-clad mother. “What did I tell you about leaving your door unlocked?” he chastised.

  “I left it unlocked because I knew you were coming over.”

  He placed a kiss on her cheek and took a seat at the table.

  “How was your trip?” she inquired.

  “I’m sure Zoe and Amira have already filled you in.”

  “They told me their version. Now, I’m asking you—my oldest child. How was it?”

  “It was good that we got the opportunity to meet our brothers and their families. Seemed like the weekend flew by, though.” He threw his hands behind his head and leaned back in the chair. “Savannah showed up.”

  “Zoe told me she did. Zoe seemed to be pretty upset with you, too.”

  “I know, and she has every right to be. I messed up, Ma…messed up bad.”

  “How’s that?”

  “Savannah did everything she could to reconcile with me, but I didn’t give her a chance. I was a complete jerk to her. Now, she wants nothing to do with me. And she’s—”

  “She’s what?”

  “She’s pregnant with my baby.”

  Florence’s face lit up. “She’s pregnant! I’m going to be a grandmother?”

  “Yes. You’re going to be a grandmother.”

  “Finally!” she said. “Oh, I’m so happy, son.” She walked over to the table to wrap her arms around his neck while still holding a spatula. “Aren’t you happy about the baby?”

  “I am, but Savannah’s angry with me. She’s already told me she would raise the baby alone and—” He sighed heavily.

  “Do you think the marriage is able to be salvaged at this point?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Do you want it to work?”

  “I do. I love her. I’ve always loved her.”

  “Then don’t stop trying until you get her back. Pour your heart out to her, son. Admit your wrongs, even if she’s not willing to admit hers.” Florence touched his forearm. “Okay?”

  “Yeah, I hear you. I was just thinking.”

  “About?”

  “Paying Savannah’s parents a visit. I want to talk to them face-to-face to see if they’re really the people Savannah said they were. I know her father on a business level, but I haven’t sat down and actually talked with him.”

  “That may shed some light on the situation,” Florence said. “Hey, where is Savannah anyway?”

  “She’s still in Asheville. From what I understand, Dante has offered her a position in the legal department of their company.”

  “Do you think she’ll take it?”

  “Not sure. She says she’s not going back to Charleston and since she hates my guts, I doubt she’ll come back here to Wilmington. Chances are, she’ll take it.”

  “If she does, are you prepared for that?” Florence asked. “You may have to move there.”

  “Seeing that I’ve already messed up royally, I’ll do what I have to. If I have to move there, I’ll move. I don’t want to leave you here alone, though.”

  A smile came to Florence’s face. “Oh, don’t you worry about me, son. I’ll be just fine. Asheville ain’t that far from here. I say, do everything you can to make it work with Savannah. After all, she is my favorite daughter-in-law.”

  Harding grinned. “She’s your only daughter-in-law and it looks like that’s the way it’s going to be. Mordecai said he wasn’t the marrying type.”

  “Once upon a time, you said the same thing,” Florence reminded him. She chuckled.

  “I did,” Harding admitted. Savannah had been the only woman to make him eat his words.

  “Just like you, Mordecai will find a special woman.”

  “You’re right. I know he will.”

  Florence looked at her son with concern in her eyes. “I know you’re stressed out right now, Harding, but you’ll get her back. Do you know how I know that?”

  “How?”

  “Because you have no choice but to. You’re strong-willed. Always have been. You set your mind to do something and you do it. Like when you told me you were going to start your own business…I had my doubts. Of course, I didn’t tell you that. I was being a supportive mother, but when I saw how dedicated you were to it, I knew you would pull it off. And you did.”

  A half smile formed in the corner of his mouth.

  “You never stop fighting for what you want, so don’t stop fighting for her.”

  “I won’t.”

  “That’s my boy,” Florence said. She stood up and pat him on the shoulder. “Let me fix you a plate.”

  “Thanks,” Harding told her, thinking about his next plan of action. It was time to pay Alistair Ellsworth a visit.

  Chapter 33

  Harding had one goal in mind when he pulled up at Ellsworth and Associates Wednesday morning – heading straight for Alistair Ellsworth’s office and telling him who he was and how long he’d been involved with his daughter. After he’d waited for over twenty minutes, Alistair finally came out of his office, and said, “Mr. Champion, it’s good to see you.”

  Harding stood up, towering a few inches taller than the man. “Good to see you, too, Mr. Ellsworth,” he said shaking Alistair’s hand.

  “Come on back to my office,” Alistair said. He instructed his secretary to hold his calls before closing the door. “What can I do for you, Mr. Champion? Looking for more work I presume?”

  “Actually, the nature of my visit is a more personal one.”

  “Oh,” the man said, sitting. “Personal how?”

  Looking the man in the eyes, Harding said, “It’s about your daughter.”

  Alistair frowned. “What about my daughter?”

  Cutting to the chase, Harding said, “Savannah and I are married.”

  Alistair sat straight up in his chair. Baffled, he asked, “What’d you say?”

  “I said, Savannah and I are married. Your daughter is my wife. We’ve been together for two years, married for one, and I love her.”

  Alistair rose to his feet. With flared nostrils, he stewed for a moment. “So you’re the one, huh?”

  “If by the one you mean her husband, then yes.”

  Alistair shook his head. “This is my fault. My daughter is out there somewhere living an ordinary, wasteful life because of you? Some computer nerd with nothing to offer her! If I’d never hired you, Savannah would still be here where she belongs, preparing herself to marry someone with some real power and influence. Instead, she’s pregnant with your baby. What a waste!”

  Harding struggled to keep a level head. In his mind, he could see his hand constricting around Alistair’s throat, but he maintained a cool head and said, “Sir, with all due respect, I may not make as much money as you, but I have a four-year college degree and my own business.”

  “No one cares about your raggedy ol’ four-year degree. Colleges these days pass out four-year degrees like Halloween candy. What do you have to offer my daughter?”

  “Love. I love your daughter. And maybe your relationship with her would be a lot better if you spent less time trying to buy her affection and more time actually loving her like a father is su
pposed to love his daughter.”

  That did it. Alistair’s face wrinkled into a hot, old-man mess. “Oh, don’t you come into my office, into my place of business being all preachy-preachy with me, boy. I can de-stroy you.”

  Short of laughing at the old man’s dramatics, Harding said, “You can do whatever you please. I just thought I’d let you know how much I care for your daughter. But I see you’d prefer she ends up with a man like yourself—cold, controlling and demanding. It’s a wonder you even have a wife—or let me guess—she’s as equally stuck up as you are.”

  “Get out of my office!” Alistair bellowed to the top of his lungs. “Get out!”

  “It would be my pleasure.” He walked to the door, closed it and headed for the stairs. This is the type of father Savannah had to endure? Even though she’d told him how her father was, he never got to experience it for himself until now. The man could sure put on a front. He remembered when he’d first met Alistair. He came across as straightforward but in a business type of way. He wanted things the way he wanted them which was fine when it came to running his business, but Savannah? He had to let her live her own life.

  Outside, Harding sat in his car after he cranked it. The picture was becoming clearer by the minute. Now, he understood why it was so difficult for Savannah to tell her parents anything. They were impossible to deal with. To make matters worse, he made her life even more difficult by presenting her with an ultimatum. He would never forgive himself for that, but he would spend the rest of his life trying to make it up to her. First, he had to get her back.

  * * *

  Savannah had just finished up lunch with Sherita. Afterward, Sherita gave her a tour of her photography studio and relayed the story of how Desmond had basically surprised her with it since he knew photography was her passion. Savannah thought it was a kind gesture on his part. She’d heard a similar story from Emily of how Dante had gone all-out when it came to redesigning Emily’s boutique even after they’d broken up. The Champion men were some distinguished gentlemen, and she knew Harding wasn’t the exception. He was just tired of competing for her love. The truth of the matter was, she shouldn’t have kept him or their lives at bay for two years. Her parents should’ve known about Harding from the get-go. After all, their relationship had begun right there in the office building of Ellsworth and Associates.

 

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