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“Well, Ms. Gunner. We have a situation here that doesn’t look pretty. Given who the baby’s father is, he has a lot of power. A lot of sway. Billionaires like that can get away with pretty much anything, including paying off judges.”
I swallow hard.
“Aside from that, given his financial status, that will rule in his favor…”
“But I’m her mother,” I say, louder than I intended.
“But you also kept her a secret. That’s not in your favor either.”
“So, this whole thing is useless?” I say, shaking my head at her.
Her face softens slightly as she reaches over the desk and places her hand on mine.
“It’s not useless. I know this isn’t what you want to hear, Ms. Gunner. But I have to be straight with you.”
“What can I do?” I whisper.
“We can try to stay out of the courts. If you can get him to agree to sign a written agreement that he gives up any rights to his daughter, then you’ll be in the clear. He won’t be able to sue you for custody.”
I nod.
“Do you think you can get him to do that?”
“I can try.”
But that would mean seeing him…
Chapter 36
Marco
Ireach over and take a sip of ice-cold water as Jacob finishes the last of his bourbon. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t look tempting, but I’m trying to be better about drinking. Especially during my lunch breaks. I don’t know what it is, but ever since I saw my daughter in that daycare, part of me wants to be better for her. If I ever get the chance to be in her life, that is…
“How’s the water?” asks Jacob with a smirk. “I hear it’s really good here.”
I give him a vulgar gesture from across the table before cutting into my steak.
He puts his hands up and chuckles. “Hey, hey. I’m just giving you shit.”
“Some people have to work, you know?”
“Hey, I’m on my lunch break, too…”
“Mhmm.”
I roll my eyes. Jacob barely has to lift a finger at his job and he makes millions. That’s what happens when your father is CEO of one of the biggest chain retailers in North America. You can scrape by and no one can say anything to you, unless it’s his father. But he’s a pushover. He lets Jacob get away with anything, like coming back from lunch drunk on the two and a half bourbons he’s had since we got here.
“Howiswork?” He pops a bite of steak in his mouth, chewing slowly. “With that one chick. Man, she is hot.”
I try not to let the way he talks about Erica get to me. It’s Jacob. He talks about all women like this.
“Works fine. I honestly don’t see her anymore.”
“Damn. That’s a bummer.”
I push the food around on my plate with a fork, thinking about how everything I’ve tried in order to see her this week has failed. Everything, but actually going to her cubicle. I’m at the point where I might have to, but I don’t even know what I would say. Clearly, the flowers did nothing to help my situation.
After lunch with Jacob, I head back to the office and don’t bother waiting around the lobby like I have been. I head to the elevatorsand press the button, stepping into the one that immediately opens. The doors are about to close when I see a hand pop through just in time, forcing them to open. I suck in a breath when I see Erica step inside.