Page 70 of Make Your Save

CHAPTER THIRTY

ROWAN

“Hello, Hadley,” my lawyer says with a smile as he approaches Hadley who is standing in front of the room. “How are you today?”

It’s just the two of us here today, because at the end of the day, we’re the only two who really matter in this case. My lawyer interviewed friends and family and was able to provide their statements to show my character and ability to provide stability.

He went and met with Selena two weeks ago and she signed over her parental rights without a second thought. She didn’t want to face me herself and figured the hospital was the best place to leave Lucy. Selena never intended on fighting against me for custody and for that, I was so fucking grateful.

Now, there’s only one last piece to set in place to seal the deal of gaining full custody of Lucy.

Hadley and I have to sell our engagement to the judge.

I’ve never had to deal with an experience like thisbefore so I wasn’t sure what to expect before we walked into this courtroom. The thought of losing Lucy, of Lucy being given to someone else or put into the system, makes my heart feel like it’s going to shatter.

Hadley smiles back at the lawyer and the judge. “I’m doing well, thank you.”

“As I’m sure you know, we’ve asked you to come today to provide a little insight on you and Mr. Taylor’s relationship.”

My heart stalls in my chest as her eyes find me. The softest smile lifts her lips and her head bobs before looking back at him. “Yes, of course.”

“You and Mr. Taylor are engaged, correct?”

“Yes.” She tips her chin, still smiling at him.

“How long have the two of you known each other?”

“Oh my,” she says with a gentle laugh. “Well, we grew up in the same town and went to the same school, so it’s been many years.”

“So, you would say you know him very well then?”

Her eyes flash to me. “Sometimes I think I know him better than I know myself.”

My breath catches in my throat and my heart skips a beat. I have to maintain my composure. This is all just for show. She doesn’t mean a single word of it.

“Very well,” the lawyer says with approval. “When Rowan is away for work, is Lucy with you?”

“Yes,” she tells him, which is the truth. “I’ve taken some time off from my own job for us to get everything figured out.”

“And what will the two of you do when you go back to work?”

“We have a babysitter lined up for that.”

My lawyer looks pleased as he looks back at the judge. “As you can see, Your Honor, Miss Reed has known Mr. Taylor for many years and is someone who can speak to his character. With their engagement, I believe it’s pretty clear that Lucy will have all her needs met and the two of them can provide the stable environment she needs to grow up in.”

The judge mulls things over, looking over his notes before looking at Hadley. “Is Rowan Taylor someone you could see spending the rest of your life with, even if things were to get tough?”

Hadley doesn’t falter. “Yes.”

“Is he someone you would want to have future children with, presuming that was something you wanted to do?”

Again, she doesn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

Emotion washes over me, but I shove it back into the box inside my chest, knowing it’s something I cannot entertain. Hadley is playing her part. She’s doing everything I asked her to do.

And for some reason, that fucking kills me.

How badly I wish it were all true . . .

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