Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“A wedding. Clichéd but I had to come. An investor for my business.”
“So, you’re marrying them or just fleecing them?” I asked, unable to contain my snark. “Did you find yet another man to sink your claws into for his money?”
She smiled—a cold, calculated smile. “Well, since your last missive from your lawyer refused me any money, I had to look elsewhere.”
“And you will have to continue. You’re not getting another penny from me. I’m done with you, Kelsey.”
She glanced over my shoulder. “I think I’ll go see Mia.”
I couldn’t bear to hear that name come from her mouth. I grabbed her arm as she tried to go past me. “No, you will not.”
“I’m her mother. I have rights.”
“You gave birth to her, then abandoned her. You are not her mother. You gave up those rights years ago. She doesn’t want to know you. She has zero interest in you.”
She tilted her head, shaking off my grip. “I watched you for a few moments,” she hissed. “Playing the happy family with your little girlfriend and our daughter. Hanging out with my loser brother.” She shook her head. “I had such hopes for you, Simon. Such a disappointment.”
I laughed. “Do you really think your opinion means anything to me, Kelsey? Or to Evan? Neither of us cares. Go back to your empty life. Leave us alone. Leave Mia alone. You are not welcome in her life.”
“Maybe I’ve changed my mind. Maybe I’ll ask for some visitation.”
I refused to let her see the fear her words caused me. I didn’t want her anywhere close to my daughter. “You signed away your parental rights. I’ll refuse.”
She batted her eyelashes. “I was confused. Lost and hurt over my broken marriage. I fought so hard to keep her, and I’ve been missing her for five years. I’ll plead my case to a judge.”
Evan began to laugh. “Nice try, you coldhearted witch. Your daughter is eight, not five. I bet you don’t even remember her birthday.”
Anger showed her true nature. She wasn’t so beautiful when she was glaring, the frown lines evident under the skillful makeup. “Some money would keep me quiet and away. I’d stay busy with my business.”
I was disgusted by her statement. “Stay busy with whatever you want. But not in my life and certainly not in Mia’s. Go away, Kelsey. I have nothing to say to you, and I’m not interested in whatever you have to say. Let’s go, Evan.”
We began to walk away, and she called out, “We’ll talk soon, Simon. You know I won’t let this go.”
I refused to turn. To let her get to me.
I kept walking.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
SIMON
We were quiet in the van, Amy holding my hand all the way back to the lodge. It wasn’t until the kids were busy with the scavenger hunt and we were sitting around a table by the pool watching them that Evan spoke.
“I’m sorry, Simon.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“My sister is an awful person.”
“Again, not your fault.” I shook my head. “I can’t believe of all the places to run into her, it would be in Niagara Falls. She always hated this place. But then again, she hated everything, so I guess she ran out of places to go.”
Amy met my eyes. “Do you think she meant what she said? About Mia?”
I had told her what Kelsey said as the kids got ready to go for a swim. Amy assured me Mia didn’t get a good look at Kelsey and hadn’t recognized her. Nor had she heard anything that upset her.
“No. They were empty threats. She has zero interest in my daughter. She never has. She resented being pregnant. She didn’t want to be a real mother—she liked to say she had a child, but she wanted none of the responsibilities.” I sipped my coffee. “She got pregnant to keep me, and after she had me where she wanted me, I saw her true colors. I was horrified at what I had trapped myself into, but I wanted to be there for Mia. Kelsey fought me for custody to punish me. Her lawyer was sleazy and seemed to enjoy making me suffer as much as Kelsey did. She didn’t want Mia. When she finally got tired of it all, she offered me a divorce with full parental rights for a big cash payout. I was relieved, and I jumped at the chance. She doesn’t want to be a part of Mia’s life. She wants more money.”
Evan leaned forward with a frown. “Will you give it to her?”
“No. I already contacted my lawyer and told him what was going on. Halton is on it. He’ll get in touch with her lawyer and make my position clear. He’ll keep her away.” I huffed an annoyed sound. “I guess she’s bled the other husbands dry too.”