Page 89 of Wed to You

She wanted to ask him what he meant, but as soon as the words left his mouth, he turned away and headed back to his desk. “I’ve got some more work to do.”

“Yes, of course.”

The next weekuntil the court date, Chelsea worked harder to project the air of a loving wife, and Jagger didn’t push her to continue their affair. They were back to where they’d started.

On the morning of the court day, she stood in the closet, trying to figure out how to dress like a mom. Many of the moms she knew wore shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops during the summer, just like she did. Chelsea was certain that wasn’t what Mrs. Monroe meant by “dress like a mom.” The problem was, Chelsea didn’t have much else. As a teacher, she rarely had to dress up. Mostly she wore cropped or long pants. Her shoes mostly consisted of some variation of sneaker or flip-flop. Eventually, she chose a light blue skirt with a white sleeveless blouse and white flats.

Jagger was quiet all morning and withdrew into a broody state the closer they got to the courthouse.

His lawyer met them out front. “She’s already here. There’s something I want to ask you before we go in.”

“Is there a problem?”

“Not a problem. She’s got Jacob Masters as her lawyer. He’s not cheap. I thought you said she didn’t have money.”

“She drives an old car so I didn’t think she had much. Maybe she has some left over from what my father gave her.”

“She’s working at a diner, so it’s strange she’d have the money for that caliber of lawyer.”

“Does he work pro bono?” Chelsea asked.

“Masters? No. I’ll look into where she might be getting the money.”

“I don’t think she ever sold drugs, but maybe she is now.” Jagger offered.

“I’ll ask the PI. Now, when we go in there, don’t say anything. The way you look now, it might be better not to look at her either.”

Jagger frowned.

“You do look fierce.” Chelsea threaded her arm through his, hoping to reduce the tension.

“Let me do all the talking unless the judge speaks to you directly.”

Jagger nodded.

“Remember, this is just a hearing. Odds are this will end with a trial date. Okay?”

“I understand.”

Mrs. Monroe entered first with Jagger, holding Chelsea’s hand, following. She glanced at Tanya. There was no way anyone would take her for a drug addict or stripper. Chelsea wondered if her lawyer gave her the “dress like a mom” speech too. She wore a light pink dress and her brown hair was pulled into a loose braid down her back. Her head turned, her gaze stopping on Jagger. Chelsea would have expected a venomous glare, but Tanya’s expression appeared more apologetic than adversarial.

The court appearance followed exactly as Mrs. Monroe said it would, until the judge ordered a trial and a guardian ad litem for Kaden. At that point, Mr. Masters asked for visitation for Tanya.

“No.” Jagger’s rough voice echoed through the court.

The judge, who for the most part had appeared bored by the proceedings, sent him a chastising glare.

Mrs. Monroe patted Jagger’s hand. “Your honor. My client apologizes for his outburst. However, he does want me to remind the court Miss Gilson hasn’t seen or even attempted to contact Kaden Talbot for two years. The boy doesn’t know or remember her. It would be disrupting to his life, not to say traumatic, to send him off to spend time with a total stranger.”

“So noted.” The judge turned back to Mr. Masters. “I have to agree. While I understand your desire to put your life back together, Miss Gilson, my job is to make decisions in the child’s best interests. You haven’t made a single attempt to see or contact your son in two years?”

“Not before now, your honor.” Tanya looked down, and Chelsea could only imagine the guilt she was feeling at the dreadful choice she’d made two years earlier.

“With that said, children have a natural curiosity about their parents. Regardless of the outcome of this trial, Kaden should be reacquainted with his mother.”

Chelsea squeezed Jagger’s hand, hoping he wouldn’t make a scene. His jaw tightened and his hand nearly broke hers as the tension gathered in his fingers.

“I’m ordering two, two-hour supervised visits a week with Miss Gilson and Kaden to be conducted at the local social services building.”

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