Page 94 of Exposed

She’s never asked if Jlockwood is Jasmine, but I’m sure she assumes.

“Thank you,” I say.

“You bet.”

Jasmine’s eyes fill with tears as I hit the end button. “That’s so much money.”

“Your freedom is worth it, princess,” I kiss her forehead, and she wraps her arms around me and buries her face in my neck.

“I can’t believe it was Kevin. He was nice to me from day one. He even did the final interview and told me I had the highest score any applicant had ever gotten on their financial hiring tests. He said I had a long, promising future with Titan Securities. Why would he betray me?” She asks.

“People aren’t always who they seem,” I answer.

“Yeah, it’s just really weird. I’d never have guessed it was him,” she says quietly, looking down at the ground.

“As long as you’re cleared of all charges, that’s what’s important.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” she agrees.

Soon, she’ll be free to go back to her home in New York. I hope this isn’t the beginning of the end for us. It can’t be; I won’t let it.

39

FIVE DAYS LATER

MATT

We attended the temporary orders hearing, and my heart is broken. The next step in the custody process is a status conference, but that’s four weeks away. Until then, I have to share Simon with the Trumans. Hollie refuses to testify against her parents, and I believe it’s because she’s afraid of them.

Getting married to Jasmine did help our case, but the Trumans refuse to back down. They won’t settle for anything less than full custody. They want to take my son away from me completely, but I’ll fight to the death to stop that from happening. The judge ordered 50/50 custody for the next four weeks: one week with us, then one week with them. They live in Orlando, so we’ll be traveling halfway to meet them every time.

This is the fucking worst. Meeting them at the hearingwas horrible. They reek of wealthy entitlement. Some rich people are authentic and down to earth. Heath and Nita Truman are not.

The first visit is next week, and I’m trying to figure out how to stop time so it won’t happen.

It’s Monday, so I’ve had all day with Simon and Jasmine. I want to soak up every moment I can with Simon before next weekend. With him nuzzled against my chest in his carrier, I cook dinner for Jasmine and I.

“What if we lose, and I miss all the huge milestones in Simon’s life?” I lament to Jasmine as I stir the steak and vegetable stir-fry.

“You’re not going to lose.”

“Anna said it’s a possibility that we’ll get 50/50 permanent custody. Simon shouldn’t have to be with the Trumans every other week. Hollie was afraid to even tell her parents she was pregnant. I don’t want Simon growing up in fear. I have a horrible feeling about them. I wish Hollie would testify against them.”

Anna is working to get another judge on our case, because she thinks this one is being paid off by the Trumans.

“We’re not backing down. We’ll fight with everything we have for Simon,” Jasmine assures me.

I don’t miss the way she said “we.” I want her to stay when the custody battle is over, and not just to be Simon’s nanny. I want her to be my wife forever.

“I like that you said ‘we.’ I want you to stay with me as long as you want.” I give her a little grin.

“Really?” She asks as she sets the table for her and I.

“Absolutely. Simon and I love you being here,” I reply.

“I love being with you guys.”

She didn’t say that she’ll stay forever, but it’s a start.

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