Page 33 of A Baby for the Beast
She's nervous, though, and she's about to have to interact with the man who's been trying to put her through hell and smear her name to anyone who will give him a modicum of attention.
"Then we'll talk about taking this in front of a judge. Based on what we know about the conception of your daughter, you have a good case for suing for full custody."
There's no judgment in the lawyer's words, but there's a slight softening in her eyes as she uses words that don't really state the full extent of what Kyle did to my omega. He lied about his sterilization to have sex with her, to use her for his own needs, not caring about the repercussions. I don't know if Hayley's even really thought about it in the same way anyone else who hears about it has. She doesn't think of herself as a victim, so I doubt she's even put together just how fucked up what he did was.
"You think I'd be successful in getting full custody?" she asks, rubbing her belly with one hand as the other holds onto my forearm.
"I think we'd have a very good case, but based on what we know about Mr. Ward, he'll sign over rights." The attorney breaks her serious facade and gives my omega an honest smile. "You just sit here, look strong and determined, and let me do all the talking, okay?"
"I can do that," Hayley says, her smile not nearly as strong as our lawyer's, but at least she's not crying.
I have tissues in my pocket just in case, but I know she's really hoping she doesn't cry during this meeting because she doesn't want Kyle to think he's getting to her.
The conference room door opens, and our lawyer's expression drops back into one of seriousness as my spine straightens and Hayley's nails dig into my forearm. As nonchalantly as I can, I place my hand over hers. If she draws blood, I don't need anyone else seeing it.
Let her mark us up. Mmm, that sounds nice.
Now is not the time.
Murder or fucking? Those are the options. Pick one and stop bitching.
I stop responding to Remus because we're just going to end up arguing, and if I growl, everyone here is going to think it's directed at the asshole stepping into the conference room. I press my lips into a tight line.
Kyle's wearing a suit, which I think might be the first time I've seen him so dressed up. I'm in slacks and a button-down with a black tie, but he's got a jacket on. He glances at Hayley, who keeps his gaze before he looks at me, his head dipping in submission subconsciously before he straightens. As much as I'd love to smirk about that, I keep my lips flat. No reason to antagonize him.
"Good afternoon," Kyle's lawyer says, shaking Gloria's hand.
He sets his briefcase on the table and unbuttons his jacket before sitting down. Kyle takes the seat beside him, and our lawyer walks around the table, setting a paper in front of them and returning to her seat on Hayley's other side.
"Good afternoon, we're here to go over the documentation of Kyle Ward absolving himself of parental rights over Hayley Benton's unborn child. Is this correct?" Our lawyer asks the question, sounding more like a warning than a genuine question.
"My client has some objections to losing rights to the child," Kyle's lawyer says.
He's an alpha, and I wonder if he thinks he's got more leverage than we do, just based on his designation being different than our lawyer's. Too bad I know how good each of them is and know the beta on our side is a viper who gets results and is worth the ridiculous price, if not more.
"Objections were meant to be emailed over before the end of the day yesterday," Gloria says, keeping her voice tight.
"Mr. Ward had a change of heart during the night. He wants to be a father, and this might be his only chance."
Remus is gnashing his teeth inside our head at the thought of Kyle getting anywhere near Hayley's daughter. Sure, he might make up half of her genetics, but he will never, ever be anything remotely close to a father to Tessie. No man like him will get close to her ever, not if we have any say in it.
"I highly doubt this is your client's only chance at a family," our lawyer says.
I try to keep myself calm even as Hayley's citrusy scent turns acrid as her fear becomes obvious. I wish I could purr for her right now, but I just tighten my hand over hers and hope she feels the comfort I'm trying to give her.
"Mr. Ward is willing to sign over rights, but he's requesting compensation due to the traumatic nature of having his only child taken from him."
I don't know whose expression I relate to more, the sickened look on Hayley's face or the look of absolute disapproval on our lawyer's. Apparently, this bullshit excuse is enough to get her to crack a bit, and I don't blame her in the least. Kyle put my omega through hell, and now he's going to say he's the victim in all of this.
"What compensation is he looking for?" Gloria asks, crossing her arms over her chest.
The smarmy asshole lawyer seems to be just like his client. His smirk is full of arrogance, but he has to know that I'm willing to offer anything to have Kyle out of our lives. If he wants money, I'll give him however much he wants. Henry lives in a shoebox with his beta now, and they're perfectly happy. I can downsize easily if Kyle wants a good chunk of our fortune. My brother wouldn't even bat an eye at it if it were to keep my omega safe. Who knows, maybe Hayley and I move to the suburbs like Sam and Janie once Tessie is born.
"Obviously, a monetary compensation," his lawyer says, looking for all intents and purposes like a smug jackass.
"Obviously," Gloria repeats, and she doesn't roll her eyes, but the tone is there.
Kyle sits up a bit straighter, looking at his lawyer. The alpha folds his fingers together on the table, looking straight at me, "We'd also request your retirement. It wouldn't do for my client's child to be left in the hands of an alpha who earns his living fighting."
