Page 24 of Single Mom’s Undoing (Lucky Lady Reverse Harems #1)

CLARA

“ W hat do you want?”

“I assure you, I just want to talk,” he says.

He seems calm. Neutral. Neutral might even mean safe. I glance back at Jodie. She’s watching us from the living room.

“Is everything okay, Clara?” she asks, her arms crossed.

“I think so,” I reply.

“I promise, it is,” Bill politely intervenes. “I just want to talk.”

For a moment, I’m tempted to shut the door in his face.

But how much longer can I keep running from the past?

If this is the time for me to face it, I might as well do it.

I’m pregnant. I’ve got a son with Carter already.

If ever there was a turning point that would redefine the way I live out the rest of my days, this might be it.

“We’re okay, Jodie. Would you mind staying in the living room while Bill and I talk in the kitchen?” I finally say.

“That’s cool. Just call if you need me,” Jodie replies .

Slowly, I turn away from the door and head down the hallway leading into the kitchen, Bill quietly following. I give Jodie a quick look, and Bill offers a polite nod as he joins me.

“You look well,” he says.

“What do you want, Mr. Lockwood?”

I stand close to the counter, within reach of the kitchen knives. Part of me fears an attack, the memories of that night still painfully fresh in the back of my head. He never touched me, but I saw what kind of rage hides beneath this seemingly calm demeanor.

I saw what he did to my brother.

“I had no idea you were back in town until I spoke to Margot upon my return,” he says. “Had I known?—”

“You would’ve come sooner to run me out of Blackthorn Falls again?”

He smirks. “Truth be told, I had a mind to do that. I was ready to throw some more money at you, too. Until I heard about Matthew.”

“What about Matthew?” I snap, my blood running ice cold.

“He’s Carter’s boy, isn’t he? And the poor child has the same heart condition that afflicted so many along my wife’s bloodline,” he sighs. “I was devastated to hear about it, but I was also elated to learn that I have a grandson.”

“We want nothing to do with you, Mr. Lockwood.”

“Oh, I know that. And it makes all the sense in the world.” He pauses and gives me a long, stern look. “I never thanked you for your sacrifice that night.”

“My sacrifice? ”

“You left. You took your payment, and you left. You could’ve gone to the police or demanded more money, but you didn’t.”

“You made it perfectly clear that nobody would believe me and that you would pull every string in your influence to destroy me. I didn’t have any other choice but to leave, just like I didn’t have a choice but to come back, as well. Things have changed; circumstances have changed.”

“About that trust fund,” Bill says. “I’ve made some inquiries. Discreetly, of course.”

“Inquiries?”

“Yes. And I’m told it’s a generous amount, but not nearly enough to cover all of Matthew’s medical expenses.

Post-operative care, follow-up treatments and tests, recovery therapy.

Not to mention your living arrangements.

You will need to be by the boy’s side 24/7 during his recovery.

There will be no time for a job, not even part-time. ”

I scoff and shake my head slowly. “I’m well aware of all of that.”

“I’m willing to offer a better solution.”

Nausea works its way up to my throat, but I swallow it back, breaking into a cold sweat as I struggle to keep it together in front of this man, this monster. People might be fooled by the weight of his last name, by his reputation and finely tailored suits, but I see him for who he truly is.

“Clara, I will see to it that all of your financial needs are fully covered. Pick a town or a city as far away from here as possible to live in. I’ll buy you a house, I’ll cover your living expenses, I’ll set you up with a generous monthly allowance until Matthew turns eighteen, on top of covering every single medical bill that his care will incur.

Everything. You’ll never be without while you’re raising my grandson. ”

Sounds like a deal inked by the devil himself.

“What’s the catch?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“No catch. You just have to leave Blackthorn Falls and never return,” he insists.

“You do realize Carter just met his son, right? I can’t disappear again. He’ll come after me. Mr. Lockwood, things are different now. What worked for you last time worked because I was scared and alone, I had no one to turn to. I’m not afraid of you anymore.”

That’s a bald-faced lie, but Bill doesn’t need to know that.

“I will deal with Carter,” Bill says. “He doesn’t have to know where you’re going. When the time is right, when Matthew comes of age, I’ll let the boy return and reacquaint himself with his father. But in the meantime, I need to make sure you stay as far away from here as possible.”

“I thought you were thrilled to have a grandson?” I counter.

“I am, but it’s just too dangerous to have you so close to my business, to my life.”

“Then why not just kill me?” I ask flippantly.

Bill shakes his head. “I could do that. But Matthew still needs his mother. I’m not a monster, Clara.

What happened that night with your brother was horrific and unfortunate.

I would give anything to take it back, but I let my rage get the better of me.

No one else needs to suffer because of that, especially not my innocent grandson. ”

“I have no intention of telling anyone about what happened that night,” I say, raising my chin in defiance.

“But I’m done hiding. Mr. Lockwood, I don’t want your money.

I just want to give my son a chance to grow up with two parents who love him.

Carter is more than eager to help us on top of what Stephan left me in that trust fund. We don’t need your money.”

“Don’t say no just yet,” Bill replies, the hint of a smile fluttering across his cold face. “You never know how you might end up changing your mind.”

“I don’t want your money,” I repeat, a little more forcefully.

“I can’t let you stay here.”

“I just told you; I’m done hiding. Now, unless you want me to go public right now with what I know about that night, you will leave us alone.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “That would be unwise.”

“Maybe. But it’ll get you unwanted attention, which is what I know you’re desperately trying to avoid, otherwise, we wouldn’t be having this conversation in the first place,” I shoot back.

“If you leave, I’ll keep my mouth shut. I don’t want any trouble.

But I don’t want to run away again. Carter deserves better, and so does my son. ”

Bill concedes, though I’m not sure it’s entirely genuine, and gives me a slight nod. “The offer stands, Miss Barnes. I’ll leave, but I hope you will reconsider.”

“Have a good evening, Mr. Lockwood.”

He walks out of the kitchen. I stay behind, listening to the sound of each heavy footstep until I hear the front door close behind him. A split second later, Jodie rushes in to make sure I’m okay.

“Clara?”

I’m trembling, sweating, and damn near gasping for air. “I’m good.”

“You don’t look good.”

“I’m just nauseated. Pregnancy. You know, the usual.”

“What did he want?” Jodie asks as she gently escorts me back to the living room. The pregnancy test sits on the coffee table, glaring back at me.

I let a deep sigh roll from my chest, and with it departs a tremendous amount of pressure. “It’s complicated, Jodie. And believe me, you’re better off not knowing. “For your safety.”

“Clara, I know how two-faced and dangerous Bill Lockwood can be,” she insists. “I grew up in this town, too. Everybody knows. They just don’t do anything about it because of his money and influence. What did he want?”

“He heard about Matty,” I decide to give her a half-truth, instead.

“Through Margot, right?”

“Yes.”

“And now he wants to meet Matty?” Jodie asks.

I nod. “He is his grandfather, but I don’t want that.”

“Then you don’t let it happen,” she replies, giving me a gentle shoulder squeeze. “You’re Matty’s mother, Clara. You know and you decide what’s safe and good for him. Though, personally, I wouldn’t let Bill Lockwood anywhere near my family.”

“Neither would I.”