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“No one is going to fuck around with my family and get away with it,” he says as he places a kiss on each of my knuckles.
I smile at him, believing every single word. We are his family, and everything is going to be okay.
Though, I can’t help but wonder what’s really behind Owen’s charade.
Chapter 29
Vicente Godoy
After dropping Ava off at school, Camila and I head to the office of Owen’s lawyers. Patrick is already waiting for us in the building lobby when we arrive
“Good morning, are you ready?” he asks Camila, and she gives him a stern nod. I hate seeing her so nervous.
I’m not sure what Owen was trying to accomplish with this. Didn’t he do enough damage telling my parents about my wedding? Does he really think I’m stupid enough to give himhush money for something that’s a blatant lie? He’s going to get nothing from us. Nothing.
Well, he might get sued if he doesn’t desist of this ridiculous idea. Camila definitely deserves compensation after all the distress he has caused her.
After riding the lift and being announced, we’re taken to a conference room. Owen is already seated with his two lawyers, his smarmy grin begging for my fist. But I need to remain calm and let Patrick do his job.
“Good morning. Thank you for agreeing to come,” one of Owen’s lawyers begins, and it takes a herculean effort for me not to roll my eyes.
“I’m Charles Shultz, legal counsel for the honorable Owen Clarke,” he says, pausing dramatically before continuing. “He is requesting a paternity test to establish his rights to the minor, Ava Flores. I assume you’re here to sign the documents that will allow this procedure to move forward.”
“Absolutely not,” Camila raises her voice.
I feel my heart roaring with pride, seeing my wife transformed into a lioness ready to protect our Ava.
“Then we have no other choice than to take this to court,” Owen’s lawyer says as he stands up.
Owen grins. Fucker doesn’t know what’s coming to him.
“Not so fast, Shultz,” Patrick says, as he stands, mimicking Shultz.
“I have evidence here that not only proves your client’s claims are false but also shows how poorly Mr. Clarke treated Mrs. Godoy when she ended their brief and uneventful fling.” He passes a folder to Shultz.
I have to stifle a laugh with a cough, enjoying the way Owen’s grin vanishes from his face.
“That’s preposterous!” Owen snaps, his voice rising. “I’m the victim here! I have a child and was left in the dark for the first five years of her life.”
“Stop lying, Clarke. What are you trying to achieve with this?” I demand, hitting the table with my fist.
Camila startles next to me, and I close my eyes, taking a couple of deep breaths. I can’t lose my composure. Not here.
“Well, now that you mention it, my dear friend…” Owen begins.
I growl at his fakeness as he continues, “I would be willing to forget all this—if I’m compensated for my loss.”
I chuckle in disbelief. I knew this wanker had an ulterior motive, and it wasn’t anything noble.
His lawyer murmurs something to Owen after scanning the documents, and I can see his nostrils flare in anger.
When he sees all the messages he exchanged with Camila—complete with time stamps—his demeanor changes entirely.
“I’m sure we all can see this as an unfortunate misunderstanding. We can dismiss the motion for requesting a paternity test, and you can go on with your lives,” his lawyer says after a brief, quiet exchange with Owen.
“Not so fast, Shultz,” Patrick says, his tone sharp. “I think we can all agree your client has put Mr. and Mrs. Godoy through heavy emotional distress, and they deserve to be compensated.”
The maniacal laugh that escapes Owen takes me by surprise, but I wasn’t really expecting him to be a gentleman and do what’s right.