Page 108 of Wed to You

“Mrs. Talbot.” Tanya made her way toward Chelsea.

“Miss Gilson, we can re-petition in—”

“No.” Tanya waved her attorney away. “I don’t want to hurt him. I’ve always wanted Jagger to stay in his life. You can make him see, right?”

“He gave up everything. Everything for Kaden. To give him a life he never had. You don’t know the lengths he’s gone to give that little boy a normal happy life. He’s good at it. This…this will destroy him.”

“He should be happy with joint custody.” Mr. Masters finished putting his papers in his briefcase. “Half time is better than no time. If he was smart, he’d see that. In a few years, if Ms. Gilson continues to do well, she’d be well within her right to re-petition for full custody.”

Tanya looked down. When she looked up, her eyes shone with sympathy but also resolve. “Kaden is my son.”

“But Jagger is the one who’s been the parent.”

In a rush, she felt the need to leave the court. It wasn’t like anything she said to Tanya would make a difference. It was Jagger who needed her. She hurried out the door, finding Mrs. Monroe talking to Jagger on the front steps.

“You should have him ready tomorrow to go with her.”

“Jesus.” Jagger walked away. His arms flailed like he wanted to hit something. Then he stopped, facing away from them for a moment.

Mrs. Monroe looked at Chelsea, who felt helpless as she watched Jagger. “He just needs a minute.”

When he turned back, the anger and hurt in his eyes was gone. Chelsea frowned. That didn’t seem right.

He gave Mrs. Monroe a curt nod. “Come on Chelsea. Let’s go home.”

She followed him to the car.

“How fast can you pack?” Jagger steered the SUV into traffic.

“What?”

“Pack. How fast can you pack?”

Chelsea’s mind started spinning and her heart, already breaking for Kaden and Jagger, now shattered. The past weeks between them that had seemed so real had all been a part of the marriage deal. She should have known this was coming. The case was over. So now it was time to pack up and go home. Still. “You’re kicking me out tonight?”

“What?” He glanced at her, his brows furrowed in confusion.

“You want me to pack and leave tonight?”

“No. I want us, you, me, and Kaden to pack and leave.”

One part of her wanted to be happy she was included in his plan. The problem was the law-abiding part of her was waving red flags all over the place. “You want to run away?”

“It’s the only thing I can do to keep Kaden.”

“No, it’s not. Didn’t you hear the judge? You still have rights to Kaden, just not all the rights.”

“I didn’t go into this to get part-time rights. I’m the one who’s been there. I’m the one who’s sacrificed everything for him. She doesn’t deserve him.”

“What about what Kaden wants?”

“Kaden is five. He doesn’t have a say.”

“What about when he’s older and learns you kept him from her?”

Jagger’s menacing eyes glared at her. “I thought you were on my side.”

“I am.”

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