Page 66 of Black Mark's Heart

"Bex, look around you, I'm not hard up for money," I reminded. Jesus, once Dad passed away, my half of his fortune alone would probably rank me higher than Darius. I looked to Timothy. "Dare set up a trust for your kids?"

"Yeah, on their first birthdays," Tim smiled. "It's only a hundred thousand, but it will pay for university and such by the time they are eighteen. He's busy organizing Henry's trust now, so he'll probably set up Jacob's at the same time."

I jumped as number two kicked me hard in the ribs. "Ouch, yeah, you'll probably get one too. Jeez."

Timothy and Rebecca laughed. "Already not wanting to be left out of everything." Rebecca smiled. "Are you going to let him know when ‘Two’ is born?"

"Wouldn't that just be mean?"

"It's better than leaving him wondering, isn't it?" Timothy asked. "He knows when you are due. Just send him a picture and name."

I took a deep breath. "I've got three months. I'll consider it."

Rebecca took a deep breath. "How is Bill working out?"

William, or Bill as he liked to be called, was Jacob's nanny. He lived in the staff cottage across the driveway. He was my age, so we'd built a sort of friendship over the last month, but most importantly, he adored Jacob, and Jacob didn't mind him.

He basically was there to take care of Jacob when I needed to rehearse, record, or perform. The rest of the time he got to himself. Since he was studying his masters at university, occupational therapy majoring in pediatrics, he liked the arrangement.

"Bill is working out well. He's enjoying getting to travel a bit too," I replied. "Jacob already has him figured out and is playing him beautifully."

Rebecca laughed, "I imagine he is."

***

"Mrs. Rafal," a man in his early thirties walked out, holding out his hand. "I'm Jack Carter. Please come into my office."

I followed the well-groomed man in his expensive suit down the long-glassed corridor of the very prestigious law firm. Once inside his office, he shut the glass door and sat down at his desk.

"How can I help you, Mrs. Rafal?" he asked with a smile. Not many people wouldn't know the Rafal name, even here in Edinburgh.

"It's Blake. Mora Blake. I never took Darius's name," I corrected.

Jack Carter's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "I'm sorry, I assumed you were Darius's sister-in-law or another relative, not his wife."

"You know Darius personally?"

"We were at college together," he confirmed.

I stood up. "I'm sorry, Mr. Carter. Please don't take offense, but I asked for the best because I'm sure Darius's lawyers are going to go for the neck once we file for divorce. I can't have someone who has personal ties with Darius representing me."

"Whoa!" Jack stood, walking to block my path. "You asked for the best, you got me. As for personal ties, there are none. We knew each other. That's all."

I stood there biting my lip, unsure.

Jack's eyes dropped to my obviously pregnant belly. "Is that his, or is that the reason for the divorce?"

"His. There is another who just turned one at home," I informed him.

"Okay. Let's talk." Jack gestured to the client chair and I sat back down. "You are seeking a divorce. How long were you married?"

"One hour," I answered honestly. Jack looked at me, unsure. I cleared my throat. "I'm Marshall Blake's illegitimate daughter."

Jack's eyes grew bigger. "As in Blake Industries, Blake?"

I nodded. "I met Darius when I was seventeen and we..."

"Became acquainted," Jack filled in for me.

---