“He said what?” Diya exclaimed in a tone of disbelief.
“He offered to take over eighty per cent, Diya. That was his most generous offer to me for hiding his son from him for over four years.” I answered, watching her pace around my room as if it were her world that had just caught fire.
As soon as I left the restaurant, I called Diya because I felt trapped and couldn’t go home. It was past ten at night, but she answered the call, and when I told her where I was, she came to get me.
I couldn’t even call and tell Daniel anything because I didn’t know where to begin. Daniel usually had a handful of troubles to deal with, and I couldn’t add to them. I knew I’d have to soon, but for now, I needed Diya more.
She brought me home and tried to console me while I sobbed my eyes out. She kept consoling me despite not knowing what had happened. After I calmed down, she called Greg and told him she wouldn’t come back home because she needed to be with me. Greg must have given in because she ended the call and didn’t leave. She stayed with me, telling me it was going to be fine, and I remember that was the last thing I heard before falling asleep.
I woke up with a still-heavy heart, and I burst out crying when the memories of last night rushed back into my head and I realised it wasn’t a dream. That woke Diya up from the couch where she lay, and she raced over to me.
She hugged me, and I clung to her with the last of my strength. When I calmed down, she pulled away and asked for an explanation. Then I told her Aaron had found out about Zion yesterday and had already made plans to take him away from me. I explained the terms that he had stated in the agreement that he wanted me to sign.
“But this isn’t fair. Zion has been your responsibility, and you’ve taken good care of him and loved him all these years. You have dedicated your time to him, and he’s just going to sweep in and take him from you?”
“He told me his terms were a generous proposal compared to what he would demand in court. I was so furious I told him I was ready to see him in court, but I fear for the worse, Diya. What if we end up in court and he wins custody?” I panicked, with tears streaming down my face.
The odds are already against me. The odds were against me the moment I decided to keep the baby and not inform him about it.
Diya came and dropped to her knees before me. “Always expect the best outcome in all situations.”
I wish it was that easy. Aaron had the power, resources, and ability to get himself the best lawyers for the case, and they would win in court without breaking a sweat. I was doing well in life, but it wasn’t enough to go against Aaron Hart.
I read up on the man, and his public image was impenetrable. He had the best of everything and had never lost since he emerged into the public eye over a decade ago.
With all the odds stacked against me, staying optimistic now wasn’t a luxury I could afford. Perhaps I should have accepted his deal and become less involved in Zion’s life. It would be nearly impossible to cope with, but at least I would still get to be with my son once in a while.
“Greg knows a few good lawyers. He could contact them and explain your situation to them. They will know the best way to fight for legal custody,” she said.
I opened my mouth to speak but snapped it shut when I heard a loud horn coming from outside the house. It was still in the early hours of the morning, so whoever was out there was either crazy or wanted to wake everyone up. This neighbourhood was always calm, so unnecessary noise wasn’t something I heard often.
The very moment my phone on the nightstand rang, I turned my gaze to it. The caller ID was unknown, and I ignored it. The call ended, and I turned to Diya, but my phone rang again, and I picked it up this time.
“I’m at your door, Zera. Come and open it.” Aaron’s husky voice sent the order over the phone, jumping over every formality that would have led to this point.
My heartbeat doubled, and my weary eyes moved to Diya, who seemed to know what was up. How was I going to face him? How was I going to deal with this? Many questions ran through my head, and I had no answer to them.
I stayed silent, not saying anything. “I know you’re there, and I know you’re home. I’m not leaving here until I see and speak to my son.” With that said, he ended the call.
So he was the one honking the car and trying to wake the entire neighbourhood up.
I slid the phone down my face slowly, and my confused eyes stayed on Diya. “He’s outside, and he wants to see Zion.” I panicked. I bit my lips to stop them from trembling.
“You cannot meet him like this. You’re all shaky and torn. Go to the bathroom and take a bath. Take as long as you like. If he is so ready to see his son, he’ll have to wait for you.”
I nodded and got off my bed. “I’ll pick your clothes out, girl. The last thing we will give him is the satisfaction that he’s got you beat,” she said with much optimism.
I tried a smile, which didn’t work out well. “Thank you.”