Page 95 of Exposed

“We’re going to win,” she continues. “If the Trumans are ugly humans, their true colors will show.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of, that their true colors will show when they have Simon alone. I’m going to have the PI follow them like a hawk while they’ve got Simon,” I say as I plate our dinner.

After eating, we clean up, and Jasmine looks online at the latest news for the Titan Securities scandal.

Kevin was arrested a couple of days ago, but he’s asserting his complete innocence. Of course, the lying asshole is, but we’ve got proof. He’s going down. I’d like to teach him a lesson for all he put Jasmine through, but I’m leaving it up to the legal system. Assault wouldn’t look good for me in gaining full custody of Simon.

There’s a new news clip that was uploaded by a New York City news outlet, and Jasmine clicks on it.

A gray haired man in a navy blue suit stands at a podium with the name Walter Crane at the bottom of the screen. He clears his throat, then begins speaking. “We’re deeply sorry for the false allegations brought against Jasmine Lockwood, a former employee with us at Titan Securities. She was a talented accountant. If you see this, Ms. Lockwood, allow us a chance to make things right. All charges against you have been dropped.”

Next to me, Jasmine’s hand flies to her mouth as she takes a sharp breath.

“You’re free, princess,” I whisper and put an arm around her.

Simon is totally oblivious to this earth-shatteringrevelation, batting at my chest with his hands and kicking his feet.

I love Jasmine. I want her to choose us instead of her old life, but I know that’s selfish.

“I’m not sure where you are, Ms. Lockwood, but we invite you back to our office in New York City. We’re waiting with open arms and a place for you to call home.”

Douchebag. I want Jasmine to callmeher home.

The clip ends, and Jasmine turns to me. One look on her face, and I can see she wants to go.

I nod, letting her know I understand.

“I have to go, Matt. Hearing what they have to say will help me,” she pleads.

“Of course, you need to,” I reply on autopilot. What I want to say is, “Don’t leave us.”

“Let’s go when Simon goes to the Truman’s next week. You won’t need me to be your nanny. Traveling will help take your mind off of how miserable we’ll be without Simon.”

“We?” I ask.

“Absolutely. We’ll both feel miserable knowing Simon is with them. Please come with me?”

“I have to work, Jasmine,” I say flatly.

Maybe I’m a jerk, but I don’t want to see her return to Titan Securities. They’ll offer her a generous promotion and a huge raise to apologize for how they didn’t even hear her side of the story before throwing her under the bus.

“You work from home on Mondays. We’ll leave Sunday after we drop off Simon, then come back on Monday,” she says.

I pick up our empty plates and put them in the sink to wash.

“Matt.” Jasmine taps me on the back.

“I’ve got portfolios to edit,” I snap, refusing to turn around to face her.

“Matt, what’s wrong?”

Taking a deep breath, I hang my head and kiss the top of Simon’s head. I inhale his sweet baby scent to calm myself.

“You’re free to go home now, Jasmine. Next week, you’re already going back to your old job,” I say in a low voice. I shouldn’t have expected anything different. This isn’t her life.Wearen’t her life.

“You want me to leave?” She asks softly.

“You think Iwantyou to leave?” I turn around.

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