I was utterly stunned by his request, and for the first time in years, I was lost for words, unsure of how to respond to the audacity of his demand.
That was the reason I wanted to have full custody of my son, but this involved him getting to know about Jayden, which I didn’t want.
My eyes remained wide, and my body froze in place, but that didn’t stop from continuing.
“The name of the lady who has taken away my baby is Leonara Eleanor Skyler”
I blinked at him in disbelief.
“And not only this, she didn’t even mind telling me about my son”
Why would I have told him? So that he could take my son away from me and leave me helpless once again?
“What happened, Miss? Why did you stop? File my case”
I reacted quickly, slamming the file shut with force. He flinched at my move, wether genuine or just pretending , I couldn’t be sure. But I couldn’t let him continue.
“Get out!” I shouted in frustration.
The room is soundproof, so the voice is not going out. I don’t want any of my colleagues to hear us, or this will create unnecessary problems in my life, more than I am already dealing with.
“You can’t disrespect” he said, continuing to push his arrogance unchecked.
“I can and I will” I fired back. “We have the direction to choose our cases, and we choose not to take yours” I said firmly.
“But your boss has already accepted my case ” her argued, a smugness creeping into his tone. “He agreed to represent me, and he has accepted my payment. I have the proof. I could not only take action against your entire firm but also jeopardise your career ”
My teeth were clenched so tightly that it felt like they might shatter. I was trapped and he knew it.
“I wanted the best law firm for my case, and yours is at the top. You will fight my case, so go ahead and file it” he demanded, pointing at the file for emphasis.
“Stop this drama, Ansell” I snapped, my patience wearing thin.
His lips broke into a smile, and he leaned back on the chair. An expression of relief washed over his face.
“Ansell” he repeated after me. “From the last six years, I was dying every day to hear my name from your sweet mouth ”
His face softened as he looked at me with the same affection with which he used to look at me in my teenage years.
“Just get out and do whatever you want” I said in exasperation, “leave me alone”
“I will” he said, leaning in closer, his voice low. “I will leave you alone”
‘After taking my Jayden from me’ these words came to my head on their own. I knew it was just the beginning of his instructions into my life, and it filled me with dread.
I had to shake my head to throw away these thoughts.
“What do you want, Ansell?” I asked him.
Suddenly, he stood up from his chair and started walking towards me. I leaned back on the chair, my eyes following his move as he closed the distance between the two of us.
My hold on the arm of the chair tightened as he leaned over me slightly. My head moved to the other side when his hand lifted to cup my cheek. I don’t want him to touch me, but that didn’t stop him.
“I want you again” his thumb gently caressed my cheek. “I just want to cut these painful years from our lives and begin our relationship where we left off, and this time I promise that I will treat you like my queen, the way I always imagine and you deserve”
I could see honesty in his eyes, he meant every word he said, but I couldn’t get lured by it. I swat away his hand.
“Stay within your limits” I warned, my tone conveying my determination.
I was ready to do whatever it took to keep him at arm’s length, even if it meant slapping him tightly to put him in his place. He touched me or did whatever he wanted in the past, but I won’t let him repeat again.
“Just forget about me or my son. You are getting nothing!” I started sternly. “I would die, but I would not let you touch my son.
The rest of the words stayed in my mouth as he placed his fingers tightly against my lips.
“Don’t say much words” he said, shaking his head. “All these years, I couldn’t muster enough courage to come closer to you, to show my face to you after all that did, even when I was dying every second without you. But after knowing about Jayden, I couldn’t stop myself. He deserves the love of his father, and I want to give him all the love that I can. He is my son, too. For his sake, come back to me, please ”
I could see helplessness in his eyes, the same helplessness that was once in my eyes, but he was always blind to it.
With newly found energy, I pushed away his hand, which was still resting on my lips.
“You are my past that I have already forgotten, and for my son, you never existed. We don’t need anyone, especially you” I gritted in anger. “Go back to where you came because you are not getting anyone or anything. If you want, you can file the case, and we will see each other in court through legal proceedings”
But in all this, our baby will suffer!
He is growing too fast, and he observes everything going on around him. If something like that happened, then a lot of questions would come into his little head, and I am not sure how it would impact his young mind.
He closed his eyes and released a deep breath, as if he were trying to control his anger.
“Nara” he swiveled back around and quickly took his seat in the chair where he was precisely seated. “Don’t force me to use other means. You know I always get what I want, by hook or by crook”
He cannot snatch away my Jayden even with the help of the court, even if he tries, but I am not sure about his illegal ways. I drew a deep breath, reminding myself that he can’t do anything until I am strong.
“You didn’t do right by hiding him. I also deserve to know about him. I am his father__”
” You are nothing!” I interjected firmly, “You are nothing to him or to me”
“Oh, come on! You may not accept it, but he must have my traits” he chuckled. “He is mine, and I will get him, no matter what it takes” he warned.
Suddenly, my phone rang. My heart started pounding in my chest when I saw that the call was my mother.
My eyes flicked at him, and his expression were saying that he knew about it. I pray everything is fine at home. He hasn’t tried to hurt my family.
I am still not over that nightmare, this is how deep an impact those months have had on my life.
He could do anything, and that too without any remorse.
My hands shook as I reached out for the phone.
“Hallo”
“Hallo, Mommy, Jayden here” came my son’s cheerful voice.
I released a deep breath of relief while listening to my son’s voice. My eyes darted to Ansell, who had a small smile playing on his lips. The room’s silence allowed him to overheat our conversation.
“What’s going on, Jayden? Everything alright?” I inquired.
“Mommy, you don’t need to worry when Jayden is home” he reassured with a giggle. “Jayden can Keep Granny safe”
I heard Ansell chuckling. His arms were crossed on his chest, and I could see pride in his eyes.
He was satisfied to know that Jayden is his junior version of protectiveness and possessiveness.
“Mommy, you forgot your lunch at home” he Informed me. “Come fast and__” he stopped midway.
“And?” I prompted.
“Could you please bring butterscotch for Jayden, please?” He added with a hopeful tone.
Even on the phone, I could tell that he was making a pout of his lips. This is his way of making me do anything. He knows that his puppy face melts me. But there is nothing big that he demands. His demands are limited to chocolate and ice cream for now.
Ansell’s eyes brightened at the mention of butterscotch. It was also his favourite.
“Alright ” I agreed.
“Jayden loves you, mommy. Come quickly” he giggle before ending the call.
“Hmm, we have many things in common” Ansell chuckled. “I can see why you didn’t miss me”
I averted my gaze, as I didn’t want to engage in any more conversation with him. Ignoring his presence, I stood up and made my way out, this time making sure that my wrist was out of his reach. He didn’t space, but his eyes trailed down my entire as I walked past him.
I picked up my pursue and made sure I had the keys to my car. I was about to leave the office when one of my teammates approached me.
“Where are you going?” He asked.
Who is he to ask me?
I wanted to ask him the same question that came to my head, but instead I kept my mouth shut. I don’t want to shout at anyone and unleash my frustration and anger at Ansell on anyone else.
“I forgot my lunch at home. I’m going to grab something” I said with a tight lip smile.
“Oh! But didn’t you have the lunch provided by one of the clients of Mr. Martin today?” He asked.
“I didn’t get you” my eyebrows drew together.
“Today, an important client of Mr. Martin visited the office and provided lunch for everyone. His name is Mr. Orion ” he explained.
While he was telling me, Ansell came to his back, and I was sure about whom he was talking. Nowi am sure that he must have provided all of them with a free lunch do that he could talk to me in private.
“I am sure your lunch must also be there ”
“No thanks!” I replied while my eyes were fixed on Ansell. “Enjoy yourself ”
Picking up my purse, I walked out of the office, passing by Ansell without giving him a glance. This time, I was determined to stand my ground and protect my son, no matter what it took.
He needs to understand that we are humans, not his toys, and he can’t have everything that he wants.