Page 86 of Matteo

I offer it to him. He snatches it out of my hand. Showing it to his lawyer. “It legal?”

“It’s valid. And if it’s what you want, yeah.” The lawyer shrugs. “Just know if you say anything about Amy, Layla, or even signing the NDA, then it automatically gives him cash and?—

“I don’t give a fuck. I’m not ever talking about that fat bitch or that kid that’s probably going to grow up and be as ugly and fat as she is. Anyone ever asks—I don’t know shit about either of ‘em.”

A secretary is called in as a notary to witness everything.

The lawyer also signs off as a witness. It takes maybe five minutes for everything to be signed. I finally exhale once it’s all done.

“Thank you,” I mutter as I stand.

“No, man. Thank you. I thought I was going to be stuck with that brat and her fat ass. My parents weren’t going to bail me out of it with her.”

I’m a doctor, not a violent man by any means. But I am when I look at him. I don’t dare do or say anything to betray the way I really feel. He signed. That’s all that matters to me.

Before I get back on the road, I see the time and swear. It will be late before I get home. I text Amy and tell her that I got caught up with a patient in an emergency. Now that it’s resolved, I’m staying a little later to finish up paperwork.

Amy

I’m beginning to wonder if something is wrong. Matteo said he’d be late, but I didn’t think it would be this late—it’s almost six thirty. I should be getting Layla ready for bed.

I startle at the doorbell going off. Layla jumps higher in her little activity center and squeals. She probably thinks it’s Matteo.

Opening the door, I find Riley and Elliott.

“Hey, can we talk to Matteo?” Elliott asks with pleading.

“I’m sorry. He’s still at work. You can come in and wait if you want.” I step back to give them room.

“But he wasn’t at work when we went there—” Elliott hits Riley, cutting him off.

“What do you mean he wasn’t there?” I can’t believe what they’re saying.

The elevator opens to Matteo. His eyes meet mine. “What’s the matter?”

“Um, we can go.” Elliott offers.

Matteo shakes his head. “Come in.” He looks to me. “What’s the matter?”

“They said they went to see you at the clinic, and you weren’t there. Where were you?”

An eyebrow goes up at my question.

Riley moves toward the door. “We’re gonna go?—”

“No, don’t.” I can’t forget the pleading in Elliott’s eyes. “We’ll discuss it later.”

“We don’t want to start a fight.” Riley sighs.

“It’s fine.” I insist. “We’ll talk about it later. This is important to you. I can leave if you want me to.”

Layla starts yelling, “Dada. Dada. Up Dada.”

Matteo makes it to her in three steps. “I’m sorry, baby girl.”

She buries her face in his neck and clutches him tight as he sits down in the overstuffed chair with her.

Both teens sigh as they sit on the couch. “It’s not that. You can stay, but I just needed to hear what you thought…” Elliott runs a hand through his hair. “Riley thinks you’ll know what to do.”

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