Page 25 of The Billionaire's Contract Baby

"Girl, I need you to look lively. Things might still work out in our favor. The lawyer will meet us at the court. In fact, she should be there by now, I reckon." She looked at the time on her watch and clicked her tongue. "We better get moving or we may be late."

"Fine by me," I replied to which she sighed and drove swiftly to the courthouse.

We arrived early and met with my lawyer, Kelly Burns. We had met before to discuss the case and now outside the courtroom, she looked confident and imperial. I could almost believe that anything was possible.

I let her coach me on what to do and what to avoid. When it was time for our case to be presented before the judge, Lorenzo and two of his lawyers appeared out of nowhere and walked past us as if we were air. I gashed my teeth in anger. Why was he so insufferable? We followed behind closely. Alfred was a good boy; he looked around with curiosity but made no noise. I smiled to myself - he was precocious for a child his age.

I entered the courtroom and took in how grand and severe it was. I didn't know how Lorenzo had done it, but there were no reporters nor spectators. It was just us. This was a gesture I appreciated. I'd hate for the public to see Alfred for the first time through this harsh lens. The judge appeared on time, and the court was in session.

I sat beside Kelly and watched nervously as Lorenzo's lawyers gave their opening arguments. It was air-tight and direct. I saw no loopholes, but sadly, they painted me as an ambitious young woman willing to play a long game: I would keep Alfred from his father until he was old enough to suddenlycome out of nowhereand then take advantage of Lorenzo in his older age to attain some of his wealth.

I felt like I had been slapped. They made me look like a gold-digging slut. They completely bastardized everything I knew about myself and all that had actually transpired. I looked back to see Jen with Alfred, looking at us apprehensively. She gave me a weak smile, and I tried to return it. I tried not to let the nasty words get to me.

The lawyer, whose name was Jack Ryan took his seat. Kelly was on her feet immediately. She didn't look fazed at all. I looked at her hopefully: could she'd turn this in my favor? Her arguments did at least redeem me as a helpless young woman caught in a tricky situation who took care of the situation the way she knew best. She played into the fact I was an orphan and my relationship with my son was important to me. Basically, I was being bullied by the father of my son. I felt that after this case, Lorenzo and I might never see eye to eye again. If we were not careful, we could eviscerate each other in this courtroom.

I took a peek at him, and he looked unperturbed while for the judge, it looked routine. We moved on to the crux of the argument: Alfred. For several hours, the lawyers argued back and forth. From the contract I had signed for the surrogacy, the dissolvement of the contract and the pregnancy itself, they dissected everything. I was already numb from the constant attacks to my person and promiscuous intimate life. A deeper anger was burning within for Lorenzo.

It was undeniable that I had some part of the blame, but painting me as a liar, manipulator, and mastermind was not expected. Things reached a boiling point during the closing arguments. The prosecuting lawyers wanted full custody of the child and possible further investigation into the accusations of conspiracy, blackmail, and parental kidnapping. When they made these demands, I looked at Lorenzo. I stared so hard that he must have felt the hate in my gaze. He looked at me briefly and averted his eyes.

Kelly took the floor and argued for a more lenient ruling: for me to still retain custody of Alfred and for the misdemeanors to be dismissed. The judge asked us to leave the room and come back in thirty minutes. I took that chance to stay and hug Alfred for as long as I could. I already felt this was a lost case. Kelly did her best, but the evidence was stacked against me. When I saw Lorenzo approaching in the lobby, the look in my eyes sent him reeling back. Officially, it was over between us. He wanted this and had hurt me more than I ever imagined.

When we returned to the courtroom, the judge went on about various arguments and laws of the state. I didn't care. His ruling would make or break me. The judge was an old man, but his voice held power. He adjusted his glasses and read from a document in his hand. Then he gave his ruling.

Within a week, I must relinquish custody of Alfred and allow Lorenzo to have him. Failure to do so or running away would lead to severe consequences. I would have no rights or say to the life of my son now or in the future. Effectively, I had lost custody. Meeting with Alfred would be at Lorenzo's discretion. The judge justified this due to the previous surrogacy contract and the fact I lacked the material wealth to support Alfred. All other charges were dismissed.

If anything could have been done, I would have done it. I wanted to scream at the judge to change his mind, but that wouldn't help my case. I couldn't look at Alfred. I had the irrational fear that he was looking at me with accusation in his eyes. Jen led me out of the courtroom. "I'm so sorry, Crystal… I don't even know what to say." Jen looked years older at this point. She was like a second mom to Alfred, and she too must be devastated.

"There's nothing we can do now. It's out of our control, but I sure can hate Lorenzo. Maybe haunt his dreams." I wanted to laugh to distract myself. Anything but feel what was there in my heart. Alfred was asleep in Jen's arms, and I was glad about that. Maybe after years away from me, he'd forget who I was or if I ever existed. That was a hot knife through my heart.Don't think about that.

"Let's get out of here. I don't want to see him." Jen nodded, understanding. We said goodbye to Kelly and made our way to the car. To hell with Lorenzo. I still had a bit more time to spend with my son. I was seething inside: he thought he could punch me down because of his money. I desperately wanted to hate him and our experience together, but it was as if a curtain of light protected those memories from the darkness now consuming my thoughts.

As the car drove away from the courthouse, I watched Lorenzo stand on the steps, looking at us. I imagined he wanted to take Alfred away from me there and then. I would not let that happen. "Let's go to your place, Jen." She nodded, not asking any questions.

Chapter 14

LORENZO

Theoutcomeofthecourt case didn't feel like a victory; rather it left a bitter taste in my mouth. I thought doing this would bring me closer to my goal, but I let my anger overshadow what was right in front of me. The look in Crystal's eyes was close to hatred – if not fury - and it felt like an accusation. I had given my lawyers free rein to do whatever they needed to get my son back. The trail was brutal, especially for Crystal, and that made it worse for me.

Why am I the one feeling sorry?I shook my head. I shouldn't think that way. Crystal had every chance to make amends, but she had failed long ago.There was a better way,a voice said in my head. I ignored it and got out of bed. My room had a cold and lifeless aura…something I can't seem to remove. Staff came around to take care of the grounds and general cleaning. Other than that, I was the only one effectively living here, alone.

However, when Alfred comes home, I believe life will return to the house. I would do everything and more that I've dreamed of for my son. There were two days left before it would be an offense if Crystal did not relinquish custody. I could go there and take Alfred away, but I wanted her to have a few last days with him. It's the least I could do. As for running away, that was impossible. She wouldn't risk it.

I looked out the window and took in the sight of the rising sun. I willed myself to look away and start my day normally. I could not let recent events set me back. With practiced efficiency, I got to the bathroom, bathed, dressed, and prepared to get to work. With no fanfare, I left the house.

My days at work returned to how they once were - boring and repetitive. With the rift that had come between Crystal and me, it meant we couldn't work together ever again. I would appreciate her presence, but I didn't think she could stand me after all that had happened. She stopped coming, though I hadn't officially terminated her employment as yet - and I might never do it.

Getting back from work proved one thing to me: I couldn't wait to have Alfred home with me. I still didn't know how I'd take care of him without his mother's help, but I'd figure something out.

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Two days later, I was ready to welcome my son home. It would be a great day, I mused. It was a weekend, and I had cleared up my schedule to find time to spend with Alfred. Opening the door, I stepped out of the house. The heat from the sun quickly warmed my body. I took long strides to my car, waiting in the garage.

Picking a car that was not ostentatious, I drove off, and on my way, I took the time to organize my thoughts. I had not spoken to Crystal about my journey, but I knew she was aware that I would be coming today. She has been trying to avoid me by not calling, and I could understand that, but there was no going back now. If I deemed it right, I would allow her to see him at times, but the opportunity for her to get too close to him again was gone. Who knew what other secrets she was hiding. Again, I thought about her surgery and how she had to take care of him alone for all these years. I felt like I should at least do something for her.

The journey was short, and in no time, I was parking in front of her house. I got out of the car and took in the sight of the modest apartment. The windows were closed, and there was no sign anyone was home. The neighborhood was quiet with few people moving about. I wanted to get in and out quickly without causing a scene.I ought to have sent someone to do this.I was considering how I should face her. Since I was here, I was going to do the hard part.

I climbed the stairs and stepped onto the porch. The memory of the night I left my car to bring her luggage up played in my mind - it seemed so distant. It was like a fairytale and now we were dealing with reality. Sighing, I knocked on the door. There was no response. I tried again, this time a bit longer and louder, then I called out, "Crystal, open the door."

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