Chapter 52
Iris
Arthur blinks at me once, twice, and then a third time just for good measure before he says, “You really want to bring lawyers into this?”
I fold my arms indignantly. “You’re the one who decided to bring arrest into it. And don’t even get me started on taking a DNA sample from my son without my knowledge
Arthur bristles slightly, but finally sighs and nods. “Very well. If you really want to go to the trouble of turning this into a legal battle, then it’s well within your rights. But you should know that my legal team is
“You’re the Alpha President of Ordan,” I cut him off, getting up from my chair. “You don’t need to boast about your legal team.”
Truthfully, though, I’m actually fucking terrified. I know fully well just how expensive and powerful Arthur’s legal team is, the sort of lawyers that I couldn’t stand a chance against with what’s left of my savings after the whole debacle.
But I won’t let him see that. I can’t show that kind of weakness right now.
“Come on, Miles,” I say gently, dropping to a crouch in front of him. “We’re going to stay at Uncle Brian’s apartment here for a while. How does that sound?”
Miles looks a little confused, but I don’t have the heart to tell him that I can’t currently afford to get our own apartment back or even pay for a hotel. I know Brian and Liam will let me use their place in the meantime, though
Suddenly, Arthur says, “You can stay with me.”
I whip my head around to look at him, my eyes shooting daggers. Of course I don’t want to stay with him after the stunt he just pulled. In fact-
“Yay!” Miles shoots to his feet, clapping his hands together with glee. “We’re staying with Daddy! Mommy, can we please? Pleeeease?”
I hesitate for a moment, caught between a rock and a hard place yet again. Miles looks happier than he has all week, and I’m terrified of potentially seeing him go quiet again if I refuse Arthur’s offer.
But if I accept…
I glance over at Arthur, weighing my options. He’s wearing a placid smile on his face, playing the role of the innocent, doting father, but I think he knows exactly what he’s doing right now.
Bastard
He knows I can’t say no. Not now.
Finally, with a sigh, I say, “I’m not living under the same roof as her.”
“Selina has her own house,” Arthur says. “She doesn’t visit very often.”
That’s a relief, but only a little. I nod begrudgingly. “Fine. But only for a little while.” I decide that I’ll do whatever it takes to find another living situation as soon as possible, but for now, it’s our best shot.
With that settled–for now, anyway- Arthur leads us out of the headquarters and to his car. He buckles Miles into the car seat and opens the passenger side door for me.
Just to spite him, I sit in the back seat, next to Miles.
Chapter 52
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Arthur glares at me for a moment, his jaw working, but finally slams the door shut and climbs in the driver’s seat.
As we begin the journey to Arthur’s home, I begin to picture the living quarters. I imagine a cold, sterile Alpha penthouse, with gray everything and cold tiles beneath my feet. Once, Arthur was a fan of a creaky hardwood floor and mahogany furniture, stacks of books and a crackling fire.
But he’s different now. Much different. And if his official office is anything like his new home, I imagine Miles and I will have to move around with utmost care so as not to leave fingerprints on anything.
However, when Arthur takes one familiar turn, followed by another and another, I begin to lean forward in my seat. The buildings we pass remind me of an old life, one that I left behind long ago. We make our way into the historic district, paved streets making way for cobblestones and the cold, brutalist skyscrapers turning into quaint, ornate architecture.
When he pulls up in front of a building I once knew quite well, I feel like I’ve walked into a dream.
“We’re home,” Arthur says, parking on the curb and getting out. He helps Miles out of his car seat as I climb out myself.
“This is…” I stare up at the familiar brick and marble facade, at the two stone gargoyles perched on either corner of the tall apartment complex. The cypress trees lining the front walkway and the marble steps leading up to a revolving brass door.
“I never left,” Arthur says as he helps me take our bags out of the trunk. “Surprised?”
I swallow hard, following him up the front steps. Miles skips ahead, just like I always imagined in all the dreams I once had. The doorman, an elderly gentleman wearing a navy blue suit with white gloves and a cap, bows at the waist as we enter.
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