Page 59 of Black Mark's Heart

"Zander and I lived together until he met Sally," I advised him. Darius's nostrils flared slightly, and silence fell between us. "I thought Warren or Zander would have told you? Zander was my flatmate."

Darius looked down at his toes, his shoulders dropping. "Did you fuck him?"

"No," I answered without issue.

Darius's head snapped up, surprise evident all over his face, a lot of anger and a lot of relief.

"Did you want me to drop Jacob off on Sunday, or will you pick him up?" I asked, holding my emotions in.

I hated this, hated negotiating something that should never have been done. He's my husband, the man I love, he should be waking up beside me on Sunday morning and be there for Jacob to come running in and jump all over as he got bigger.

"I can pick him up." Darius's nervous smile grew a little larger. "What time?"

I hesitated over the sob about to catch in my throat. I took a deep breath, determined not to let the pain of this situation conquer me. "Jacob and I usually visit with Dad on Sunday mornings. How about you pick him up at lunchtime from Dad’s house?"

Darius's smile vanished. "Will Marshall be okay with that?"

"I'll run it past him. I'm sure it won't be a problem." I stepped closer to Darius. "Say bye to daddy, Jacob."

"Dada," Jacob grinned and leaned towards Darius. Darius smiled and kissed the top of his head goodbye.

I started walking out.

"Mora?"

I turned to look at Darius, willing my tears to stay hidden for just a few more minutes.

"Thank you."

I met Darius's eyes. "You chose money over me, not your son." I held Jacob a little tighter. "There is no rule of theirs being broken by you knowing him."

"Still..." Darius stepped forward.

"It's the right thing to do," I returned his words back to him. "Jacob will see you at twelve on Sunday."

"You won't?" Darius asked, suddenly worried.

"No, Dare." The first tear threatened to spill. "I do work Sundays."

Darius froze. "The garden concert," he murmured as realization hit.

I turned and walked out the door, Steffen watching me wipe at the sudden deluge of tears flowing down my cheeks. I'd known since I started performing again that Darius was in the crowd somewhere, and, if I was to be honest, part of me always played for him.

That he was yet again giving me up to be with his son shouldn't hurt. I should be happy he wants to know Jacob, and I was. It still hurt though, to know I would always be turned aside for one reason or another.

As I slid into my father's car and settled Jacob in the car seat, I took a deep breath and accepted this was the case. "Everything alright, Miss Blake?" Jack asked, looking in the rearview mirror at me.

"Yes, Jack. Take us home please?" I requested. I pulled out my phone. "Dad?"

"Mora," Marshall answered happily. "Did Jack forget to come and get you?"

"No. I'm in the car now," I assured. "Darius was home. He came home early to spend time with Jacob."

"Oh."

"We've agreed for him to have Jacob overnight on Sundays. I've suggested he pick Jacob up from your place at lunchtime on Sunday," I informed him. "Is that okay with you?"

Marshall took an extended breath. "You will never know how proud I am of you, Mora, for being able to negotiate that without a lawyer in sight."

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