Chapter 5 - The Storm Gathers
The next morning, I woke up on Valerie’s surprisingly comfortable sofa.
The smell of coffee and toast drifted from the tiny kitchen.
I sat up, my back aching slightly, but my mind clearer than it had been in years.
I walked into the kitchen.
Valerie was pouring orange juice into a plastic sippy cup.
She wore sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt, her hair tied in a messy bun.
She looked more beautiful to me in that moment than Chloe had looked in a hundred-thousand-dollar wedding gown.
"Morning," I said softly.
Valerie jumped slightly, nearly spilling the juice.
"Morning."
"Coffee is in the pot."
I poured myself a mug and leaned against the counter.
"Valerie, we need to talk about legalities."
She stiffened immediately.
"What do you mean?"
"My father isn't going to let this go," I explained gently.
"Chloe's family is too powerful."
"The embarrassment of me walking out on our honeymoon will be a public relations nightmare for both families."
"They will retaliate."
Valerie gripped the edge of the counter.
"I won't let him near Lucy."
"I know," I said, stepping closer.
"And I will protect both of you with my life."
"But we need to establish my paternity legally."
"If I'm legally her father, my family can't claim you're a single mother unfit to care for her."
"They can't just take her."
Valerie looked terrified.
"You think they would really try to take her?"
"My father threatened you with it once," I reminded her.
"He won't hesitate to try it again now that I'm involved."
Suddenly, my burner phone—which I had bought at a gas station the night before—rang.
I had only given the number to one person.
My lawyer, and oldest friend, Marcus.
"Marcus," I answered.
"Carter, you absolute madman," Marcus said, his voice tense.
"What the hell is going on?"
"The media is having a field day."
My stomach tightened.
"What media?"
"Check Twitter, man."
"Chloe gave an exclusive interview this morning."
"She told the press you suffered a mental breakdown at the airport."
"She's painting you as unstable."
"And worse, she mentioned a 'stalker ex-girlfriend' who ambushed you."
I cursed loudly, causing Valerie to flinch.
"They're spinning a narrative, Marcus."
"I need your help."
"I need to establish paternity for a child here in California, and I need to file for an immediate annulment or divorce from Chloe."
Marcus whistled on the other end of the line.
"You're blowing up the empire, Carter."
"Your dad called my firm."
"He’s hiring private investigators."
"They are going to find you."
"Let them," I said, my voice hardening.
"Just get the papers ready, Marcus."
I hung up the phone and looked at Valerie.
The color had drained from her face.
"They're coming, aren't they?" she whispered.
I walked over and took her hands in mine.
May you like
"Yes."
"But this time, I'm not backing down."
