THE SPITEFUL BRIDE: Marry To Rival's Son novel Chapter 110

< Chapter Thirty-Five A Letter From Daddy’s Lawyer

Chapter Thirty-Five: A Letter From Daddy’s Lawyer

Kristen

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By the third day, the swelling had gone down so much that I could no longer justify staying at Ezra’s house like some kind of helpless invalid. I got an appointment with my primary physician and Spirko kindly drove me to the office so I could be fitted with a brace that would stabilize my ankle while the tendons and ligaments continued to heal and tighten.

And then I headed back to Ezra’s place to pack up my things and wait for my daughter to get home from school so we could return to our own house. I wasn’t sure why I felt such a heavy sense of regret when I tucked my laptop and sketchbooks back into the plastic tote.

I guess a few days of luxury had spoiled me. I didn’t want to leave.

Neither did Joy. She promptly burst into tears when I told her it was time to go home.

“I don’t want to go!” She cried.

Alex’s eyes welled up with tears too, but he didn’t let them escape his long eyelashes. He wrapped his arms around his friend. “Don’t cry,” he said in a pained voice. “We’ll still see each other at

school, right?”

“But the school year is almost over!” Joy wailed.

“Calm down, sweetie,” I said, feeling a little anxious. Jo

apart like this. “We’ll make sure that you and Alex have passionate, but it wasn’t like her to fall

of playdates over the summer, okay?”

“It’s not the same!” Joy protested. “I want to see him every day! Can’t you ask Mr. Falcon if we can stay here?”

“That’s not fair to Mr. Falcon, Joy. He has his own house and his own life, and we have ours. Now be a good girl and pack your clothes into your backpack, okay?”

Joy sniffled loudly, but she turned obediently to do what she was told. I sighed and sank back into the chair to wait for her. I wanted to leave before Ezra got out of work, so that he wouldn’t be bothered with us at the end of a long day. I had written him a very sincere thank-you note on a card that I had hand-painted myself. I had left it propped up on his desk.

He was truly an exceptionally kind and generous man, and I certainly would never forget how he had come to my rescue on the mountain. Or the many kindnesses he had shown, both to me, and to my daughter.

In my secret, inner thoughts, I wondered why I couldn’t have married a man like that, instead of a narcissistic scumbag like Kevin Jackson?

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<Chapter Thirty-Five: A Letter From Daddy’s Lawyer

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After about fifteen minutes, Joy came back, her school backpack bulging with the extra clothes.”

I’m ready,” she said sullenly.

I gave Alex a hug goodbye, and couldn’t help but brush back his unruly hair and kiss his worried forehead. “Tell your dad we’ll be in touch,” I told him. “We’ll make plans, right?”

“Okay,” he said, looking down at his feet mournfully.

I sighed and picked up my crutches and hobbled my way to the foyer. Mrs. Farley followed, carrying my heavy tote in one hand and my dressmaker’s dummy under the other arm. “Are you sure you want to rush back?” Mrs. Farley asked. “I’m sure, Mr. Falcon would love you to stay for supper at least!” The housekeeper seemed just as reluctant for us to go as the kids did. Impulsively, I hugged her too. She looked both surprised and pleased, even though her arms were

too full to reciprocate.

“Thank you for all your help these last few days, Mrs. Farley, you’ve been an angel,” I said, squeezing her surprisingly muscular frame. “But we really need to get back home.”

She and Mr. Spirko exchanged a look. The way her facial expression flickered, it was almost like they were having a silent conversation. I guess they had worked together for so long that they could probably practically read each other’s thoughts.

Mr. Spirko opened the door, and we all walked together to the SUV that was parked out front. It seemed like Mr. Falcon must have owned a dozen different cars, but the SUV had more room in the back for my mannequin and our things. Joy hopped in the back, and I went around to the passenger side. Mrs. Farley was there to help me climb in. Once I was settled in she patted my cheek like I was a child. “I hope we will meet again soon,” she said with a smile. “You are a good

one.”

It was such an odd comment, that I laughed. I wondered if she had ever told a visitor that they were bad, and she hoped they never returned.

We drove through town, to the more middle-class neighborhood. After a few days’ absence, the house I had shared with Kevin for the last seven years looked surprisingly drab and uninviting. After being empty for three days, the air was stale. “Joy, let’s open up the windows and let some

fresh air in,” I said.

The doctor had told me to continue to baby my ankle for a few more days, so I used my crutches to move through the house. There was already a fine layer of dust on the table, and the mailbox was stuffed full. I dumped the mail on the kitchen table and opened the refrigerator. “Ugh,” I said, as my gaze traveled over all the wasted food. It had only been three days, but most of the leftovers that had been stored would need to be tossed out, along with some soggy looking vegetables, and a gallon of milk.

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* Chapter Thirty-Five A Letter From Daddy’s Lawyer

I sighed and dumped the milk down the drain.

$25 Points

There was plenty of food in the freezer. I pulled out a frozen pizza. It wasn’t the most nutritious choice, but it was quick and easy. “Hey squirt, how about pizza tonight?” I said, holding up the box as Joy came into the kitchen and climbed up on the stool.

“I don’t feel like pizza,” she said with a pout.

I pressed a hand against her forehead.

“What are you doing?” She asked peevishly.

“Checking to see if you are sick,” I said half-jokingly. “You must be sick if you don’t want pizza. What’s wrong? Are you still down about leaving Alex?”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Why don’t you like Mr. Falcon?”

I switched the oven on to preheat. “Who said I don’t like Mr. Falcon? In fact, I like him a lot. He’s the nicest man I’ve met in a long time,” I admitted as I slid the pizza out of the cardboard box. “He was so nice to take care of us for a few days, but we can’t take advantage of his kindness. He’s been a good friend, but we aren’t his responsibility. We need to take care of ourselves now.”

She pouted and looked unconvinced.

While I waited for the oven to heat, I started sorting through the mail. Most of it was junk mail that I filed in the recycling bin. But one was a thick envelope from a law office. From Kevin’s lawyer to be exact. My hands shook as I read the contents.

Always too sensitive, Joy rushed to my side and put her hand on my arm. “What’s that, Mommy?”

I swallowed thickly. I had to be very careful how I answered her. I couldn’t say, “Nothing.” She was too smart for that. I had to tell her the truth without making her father look like a monster. “It’s a letter from Daddy’s lawyer,” I said, folding the paper up. “I have to go to court next week.”

“For the divorce?” She asked innocently.

“No baby,” I said, smoothing her hair. “It’s about the house. Daddy is asking a judge for permission

to sell the house.”

“I thought Mr. Falcon said he couldn’t do that!” Joy exclaimed.

I really wondered how much a six-year-old heard and understood. “Mr. Falcon did say that,” I agreed. “But if he can convince the judge…well, the judge will decide.” I felt worry tighten my stomach. I wondered if Kevin might have actually bribed the judge.

I wouldn’t put it past him. He was willing to go to great lengths to get what he wanted.

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< Chapter Thirty-Five: A Letter From Daddy’s Lawyer

And what he wanted was to make my life miserable.

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