It was a little after nine before Cora and Finn got home from Ma’s. I’d dozed off on the sofa after a good three hours of crying and now as I stood up to go open the entrance door for them, my head throbbed wildly as though I was having the worst hangover. Finn screamed in glee and jumped into my arm, while Cora shut the door behind her and turned to me with a frown.
“Easy, boy,” I smiled weakly, ruffling his hair. “Momma’s not feeling too good.”
“How did it go, girl?” I glanced up at Cora who stood, staring at me worriedly. I shrugged, taking Finn with me to sit on the couch.
“It went… well, horrible. God, I don’t even know how to say it, Cora. Everything is a huge mess,” I blew out a deflated breath, running a hand through my hair. She sighed and came to plop down beside me, taking my head to rest it on her chest as she stroked my arm.
“I’m so sorry, dear. I understand how this is for you.”
I beamed sadly in the darkness. “You have no idea.”
My phone chimed on the table and Cora managed to lean forward to get it, and I frowned at the name on the notification bar.
Crazy Hot Boss sent a link.
What the hell was going on? I sat up, hastily swiping my thumb over the screen to unlock and navigate to my Messages app. Turning on my data, I clicked on the link he sent, and took me to a website.
My jaw slacked as I gaped at the words written in big, bold, black letters.
COURT INJUNCTION FOR PATERNITY AND DNA TESTING.
Shit.
“What’s that?” Cora moved closer to peer at the screen with me, her face, no doubt mirroring my shock as well. “Oh my, God.”
I whipped my eyes up to hers, a cold shiver running through me. “This is…”
“Bad, Elaine,” she shook her head. “Very bad.”
–
“The fucking audacity!” Cora exploded as she paced in front of the flat-screened television, her hair whipping about. “No wonder I’ve never felt so good about this guy. Does he really think you want to trick him? What are you going to do?”
I shrugged, not feeling my head. My thoughts were all over the place. “Stay off work for a while since we’ll be better off not seeing each other’s faces. I’ll start searching for job vacancies and put an ad or two out. I don’t want to have to go back to that fucking company.”
She blew out a deflated breath and picked up the phone, glancing at the letter for the DNA testing once more, her face morbid with rage. “So, you’ll meet him up with Finn at this hospital? Isn’t the uncanny resemblance between them enough proof to him already that Finn is his biological son?”
I sighed. “If he’d like to be doubly sure, then I don’t mind. The sooner we get this shit done and he accepts his responsibilities toward Finn, the better for me.”
She slapped a hand to her face. “What a horrible man.”
“I knew that things would turn out this way. At least I wouldn’t have to lie to Finn anymore that his father has traveled. The stigma I’ve had to deal with these past five years will lessen.”
Cora’s eyes widened. “So you’re going to get married to him or something? After this shit?”
“I didn’t say that,” I paused, exhaling softly. “I’m not getting married to him or anyone else. We’re done. He made it clear this evening that he was no more interested in me. Just like how I thought he would. He threw my feelings to the gutter, and I’m not getting back together with such a spoilt brat.”
She set the phone on the table and pulled me down to the sofa. “You’re also at fault here. You could’ve told him sooner. Maybe the reason why he said those mean things is that he’s still finding it hard to process. That’s understandable.”
I turned to her sharply. “I don’t care. I knew I had fluked things by not informing him earlier, but nothing can erase what he said. Not even his shock. I’m not a weak woman.”
“Yeah,” she rubbed my shoulders, smiling sadly.
“I’ve been going by without him all these years. I sacrificed my dreams, my family, and everything I held dear in my youth for my son. I’ve endured a lot of hate and shame for him. I’m not going to stop now. Suppose Max wants a DNA test, fine. We’ll do it. But I don’t want a single thing from him, apart from acknowledging the fact that Finn is his son. He can go fuck himself for all I care.”
“You go, girl,” Cora giggled, patting her hair. “As usual, I’ll always be on hand to support you.”
“I appreciate that,” I leaned back, wrapping a hand around Finn who was fast asleep now. “He starts preschool next week. Which means you’ll have enough time for yourself and Terry.”
“Oh, please. Terry’s the last thing on my mind these days.”
I frowned. “Is something wrong? Did the two of you break up or something?”
She shook her head. “No, far from it. We’ve been texting and seeing each other a lot.”
“I’m aware.”
“Yeah. And it’s getting a tad bit boring at this point. I mean, it’s clear that we’re crazy about each other, and sex with him is bliss, but I want something new. Something more exciting.”
I nodded, perfectly understanding the angle at which she was heading. “You’ve talked to him about it?”
“God, no,” she buried her face in her hands. “He’s facing a new problem of his own at home with his mother who insists that he must get married next month to a girl she’s already chosen for him.”
My eyes widened. “Really? That’s terrible.”
“I know. We haven’t discussed marriage either, and frankly, I don’t think he’s the right one for me, you know.”
“Don’t say that, Cora.”
“I’m just being honest,” she bowed her head. “Now, let’s stop talking about me, it’s getting boring. Are you sure you don’t need me to escort you and Finn to the hospital? I don’t mind.”
I beamed at her. “Thanks, sweetie. But I’m capable of handling this alone. We’ll be fine, trust me. I’ll also keep you updated.”
She took my hands in hers. “I have no reason to doubt that.”