Page 39 of Playboy Billionaire's Fake Marriage

“The Duponts are planning to legally adopting Harriet.”

“What?” My pulse roars in my ears.

“I know. I’m sorry because adopting her means a lot to you. But our priority is to think of what is best for Harriet. The DuPonts love her and want to provide for her on a long-term basis.”

No. This can’t be happening. “Do I not get a say in this? To ask for a review, make another application?”

“Of course, you could do that, Stella. But ultimately what we all want is to see every child settled permanently. And remember that whatever happens, you are and will continue to be a huge part of Harriet’s life.”

She seems to be preparing me for the worst. And I get it. It’s her job to get children adopted as fast as possible.

I start to imagine all kinds of scenarios. “But—what if somehow, I can’t see Harriet anymore? What if the DuPonts leave the country?”

What if they decide to get her away from the psychotic aunt who visits every day? They are certainly wealthy enough. They can afford to move to an exotic country. Then Harriet will grow up not knowing who her mother was. Who I am.

A wave of panic so strong hits me that I suppress the urge to gag.

Anita’s voice is gentle, “Stella, that’s very unlikely as they haven’t expressed any desire or reason to relocate.”

“Okay, but what happens if they choose to leave?” With my rotten luck, I’m sure it could happen.

She sighs “Hypothetically, if the DuPonts choose to relocate after adopting Harriet, then she goes with them. But that is a very unlikely—”

I can’t hear anymore. “Please, Anita. She’s my sister’s daughter. She’s like my daughter. I’m trying hard here, jumping through all the hoops. I just need a little more time...” my voice breaks.

“Stella, please calm down. This is just a heads-up. The DuPonts haven’t made a formal application yet. Even then it could take months to finalize things. In the meantime, once your social or financial circumstances change, then the changes will be taken into account. Since you’ve been trying for a long time now, I thought it would be unkind if you suddenly got blindsided by this.”

I sniff, rubbing my itchy nose on my sleeve. Anita didn’t need to let me know. She might even be risking her job doing this. “Yeah, I understand… and I’m grateful you contacted me.”

“You’re welcome, Stella, good luck.”

I click off the call and take huge breaths through my mouth.

I can’t lose Harriet.

Which is what would happen if the DuPonts get her. The pinched look Faith DuPont gets every time I visit tells me I won’t be welcome once they get full custody and parental rights.

There’s only one thing left to do if I want to block this adoption.

Every pulse in my head seems to be beat double time, even as I return to the shop floor to meet my next client. I paste a plastic smile on my face and power through the rest of the client list despite my shaky hands. Eventually, I make it through the day.

As soon as my last client leaves, I return to the break to call the man I’ve been avoiding for the past month.

Ryan answers on the first ring.

“Hey, Stella.” He sounds surprised. “How are you?”

“I’m alright, Ryan.”

He pauses, waiting for me to say what I need, while the words get stuck. Finally clearing my throat, I say, “Can I see you?”

I hear his breath rush out of him. “Of course. When did you want to?”

“Now?”

He chuckles. “That’s going to be tricky since I’m in Seattle.”

Oh. He did say he was going to be CEO in a month. That was a month ago. “Congratulations.”

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