Chapter 51
Chapter 51
Arthur blinks at me for a moment, as if surprised that I’m not catching whatever it is that he’s implying. Then, his eyes flick to Miles, who is reading happily while swinging his legs in a chair, and my stomach drops.
“My son is not your property,” I growl.
Arthur just quirks an eyebrow. “Ezra, can you please explain this to Iris?”
Ezra nods, clearing his throat and stepping forward. “Iris, Miles is often the subject of your artwork. He is also a product of your prior relationship with Alpha Arthur. Therefore, he actually falls under the ‘interests associated with the patron’s investment in the artist’s career‘.”
I just stand there for a moment, hardly daring to believe that they’re being serious. Surely this is some kind of practical joke. I almost expect Selina herself to walk in, laughing and pointing at me for falling for it.
But neither Arthur nor his Beta show a hint of amusement on their faces.
“What?” blurt out. “First of all, he’s a human being, not an object. Second, you don’t even know if he’s your son.”
The moment the words leave my mouth, I feel my ears redden. It’s a desperate and weak attempt to throw Arthur off, and we all know it.
Arthur reaches into his desk again and pulls out an envelope. With painstaking slowness, he opens the envelope and withdraws a paper, which he hands to me.
It’s a DNA test. An official paternity test confirming that Arthur is, indeed, Miles‘ father.
“How…”
If I didn’t know better, I’d say that Arthur looks slightly sheepish. But only slightly, and the expression is gone just as quickly as it came. “I took a hair sample the day we went to the amusement park,” he says.
My eyes widen. “You bastard.”
Arthur glances at Miles, still absorbed in his book, then back at me. “I had no choice, Iris. I was worried you would try to do something like this. As Miles‘ father, I have rights.”
“You’re not his father.”
“The paternity test states otherwise.”
I clench my jaw. “Then I’ll back out of the contract,” I say. I had an appointment with your lawyer to handle it.”
“The cause clearly states that you cannot leave the country with any assets for one year after the signing date,” Arthur says. “Even if you back out, as stated, the clause will still be in effect.”
Without meaning to, I sink down into the chair, burying my face in my hands. I can’t believe it–Arthur seriously used a fun day at the amusement park to go behind my back and collect a DNA sample from my son, which he’s now using against me.
“So what now?” I huff, throwing my hands up into the air. Am I going to prison now? Are you trying to take Miles away?”
“No,” Arthur replies, leaning forward. “I had to use the arrest to keep you from getting on the plane. I’m sure you understand.”
I grit my teeth. “What do you want from me, then?”
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Chapter 51
+25 BONUS
He points at Miles. “I want two days a week, minimun, with my son. I want you both to stay in Ordan. I want rights.”
I scoff. “So either I capitulate to these demands or I really do go to prison.
Arthur just shrugs, giving me a loaded look.
I bite my lip, considering my options. Of course, winding up in prison won’t help the situation at all, and it’ll just make things worse for Miles. But agreeing to these demands also feels like giving in. And after Arthur went behind my back for that DNA test, I’m feeling just a touch too angry to roll over and take it.
For all I know, this might just be the first step in trying to take my son away from me for good.
I shake my head, rising, and glare firmly at Arthur.
“No. I want a lawyer.”
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