Page 5 of The Wife Deception
I picked it up and read the line again. What the fuck was my grandfather playing at? He wanted custody of my child?
"How can he claim custody when the man's halfway on his way to the grave?" Nolan voices my thoughts.
"My grandfather has delusions of immortality," I muttered.
Nolan scoffed. "I don't care. That's getting out. There's no way that man—"
"Excuse me. Why are you so angry? You think there's going to be kids coming out of this marriage?"
He reddened. It was satisfying to see him so caught out. "No. But—"
"Then this shouldn't bother you as much as it does. I mean, who cares who gets custody of a child that's never getting born, anyway?"
"Why did he add it?"
"He's a family man. He likes kids. Fuck, I don't know. Instead of being angry at me, maybe you should have done better due diligence before dragging me to court. And maybe you should read a damn contract before signing it! I threw the papers back at him."
His expression changed from livid, to mad, to blank. "You're right."
He tore the contract. Tiny pieces of white paper flew to the table, chair, and the floor around him as he spoke. "My lawyers are drafting a new one. A postnup, if you will."
I crossed my arms. "Fine by me."
My eyes darted around the room. Fully taking in my surroundings. It's a beautiful room. The floor to ceiling windows that offer a view of the New York city skyline, the asymmetrical chandeliers hanging above the table, the red velvet chairs. I didn't notice any of it. This is supposed to be my wedding day and I've already had an argument with my husband in our supposed home.
"Are we done?" I said. Tears were prickling my eyes. I wanted to be anywhere else but here. Iwantedto be on my own. Iwantedto be in my tiny apartment and cry on myself to sleep.
"I thought things would be fine if we both stayed in separate houses, but who knows what shenanigans you and your grandfather are going to pull next?"
"You can't do that!"
"I can and I will,wife. You'll be staying under my roof where I can see you."
"And what if I say no?"
"Then you'll have to deal with your Christmas choir DUI story getting leaked to the press."
My stomach sank like a lead weight. Christmas choir DUI? What the hell did you do, Aelin? Itried to think what he could be referring to, but I came up empty. Whatever it is, it must be bad.
"Shocked that I am aware of the skeletons in your closet?" He clucked. "Now. You're going to act like a good girl, stay here and when Kelly calls you, he will take you to your apartment and get all your belongings. This is your new home for the foreseeable future, but don't get too comfortable, because once I am done with your family, I'm kicking you out on your ass."
4
Nolan
Kelly was waiting for me in my office when I arrived. He was sitting on the visitor's chair, his dark skin and dark blue suit a contrast to the light cream chair. As soon as I opened the door, he stood up and slid his phone into his inside jacket pocket.
"I've spoken to the lawyers, and they said they're going to draft a new contract," he said, tracking my movements as I crossed to the other side of the desk.
"Thanks." I sank into my chair and opened my laptop. The office was the one place where everything made sense. And liked it most becauseof that. People. Women. Wives. All were a conundrum to me, my wife most of all.
Married. It's been a couple of hours and I still couldn't believe it. It was as though everything had changed, and simultaneously, nothing had. I doubt this was the experience of most married people. My marriage has been one of convenience. I hardly knew my wife, except for the few things Kelly had gathered about her from an investigation. And what I had gathered was not great. She was a drunk and possibly an addict. She spent money like crazy. And those were the non-controversial stuff. Her number of scandals had made even Kelly nervous.
"I would be careful around her," Kelly said, sitting down.
I looked up from my laptop. His bald head shone under the sunlight streaming from the windows. Few men could pull off a full bald look, and Kelly was one of them. For him, though, it seemed like a fashion choice and less of a hair loss compromise.
"God. What else did you find?"
