Page 31 of Laws of Love
“What are you doing here?” she questioned. There was no one else in the waiting area, and Finx was familiar with her relationship with her father.
“I came to visit my daughters. Your sister isn’t in, but I was lucky enough for you to walk in. Can we go to your office?”
Aiva didn’t want to, but she figured the sooner they had the conversation she knew was coming, the sooner he would leave, and she could get back to her work. Nodding, she led him down the hall to her office. Opening the door, she turned the light on and went to her desk. She gestured for Edison to take a seat.
“I missed you at the birthday party,” Edison stated as Aiva took a seat. It seemed he wouldn’t be wasting any time getting down to the true reason for his visit. Aiva knew when she saw him in the reception area that was the reason he’d come.
“I’m sure my presence was barely missed with all of your other children in attendance.”
“Everyone noticed your absence. Your siblings missed seeing you.”
Aiva believed that. Even though there were significant gaps in the age difference and enough of them for a football starting line, they were close, which was why she’d already started setting up lunch and days out with them. She enjoyed seeing her siblings. She didn’t enjoy being in their sperm donor’s presence for extended periods of time. Even though she was an adult, she still held the hurt she felt as a child that he’d caused her to endure.
“And I plan on seeing them all soon.”
It was quiet between them for a beat until Edison sighed. “You know, regardless of your feelings, I am your father, and at some point, you have to let go of the past.”
“Yes, you are,” Aiva responded. “Unfortunately, children do not get to choose their parents.”
“Aiva—”
“And letting the past go is difficult when it continues to stare me in the face.”
She found it funny that he wanted her to let go of the way he’d played her and her sister like weapons in their parents’ divorce proceedings, how he’d seemed proud to flaunt his infidelity while going through the divorce. Aiva made a choice not to be upset at the women her father slept with because what they were willing to put up with was their business, and in the beginning they’d been just as oblivious to his bullshit as her mother. However, she’d decided to keep peace within herself and not be around her father when she could help it.
“I’d like for us to get past this. What if one of us died tomorrow? Would you be okay with where our relationship stood?”
Aiva tilted her head as she regarded him. She knew yes was not the answer he wanted to hear, but she honestly thought that she would. As bad as it sounded, she thought little about her father unless one of her siblings or grandmother brought him up or he called her.
Instead of answering his question, she decided it was time for him to go so she could get back to work.
“I need to prep for court.”
Aiva could tell that Edison didn’t believe her. Nonetheless, he stood. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
She watched him leave, and a minute later, Finx popped his head in, asking if she was okay. Aiva nodded, and he disappeared back down the hall. She appreciated his concern, but a conversation with her father hadn’t affected her since she was a little girl. She was simply tired of them.
Aiva had an hour and a half of her workday left when Finx buzzed into her office and told her that Harvey was on the phone. She took a deep breath before she told him to send him through. She in no way wanted to deal with him and Mia trying to negotiate more.
She’d already told them what she planned on doing. She’d drawn up the paperwork and would file it first thing tomorrow morning. As a professional courtesy and because she felt sorry for Harvey having to deal with Mia, she’d given Harvey until Wednesday to see if he could talk some sense into his client.
“This is Aiva,” she answered.
“Aiva, it’s Harvey. I hope you’re having a good day.”
“I can’t complain about it. What can I do for you?”
“Mrs. Chandler has decided that she will take the prenup settlement and agrees to the other conditions.”
That made Aiva sit up straight. That was not where she thought this conversation would go, but she was not complaining.
“That was a smart decision. I’ll have the paperwork drawn up for both parties to sign by the end of the week. We can meet in my office on Friday morning for signatures, and I’ll file them that afternoon. Will nine o’clock work for you and your client?”
“Nine sounds good. I’ll let Mia know, and we’ll see you Friday morning.”
They hung up, and Aiva called Knox to give him the good news.
Knox stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel. He wrapped it around his waist as he exited his bathroom. He had no plans for the day since Yasmine was with Mia and decided he would work out to kill some time.
