Page 49 of Seeking Happily Ever After

Jessica’s question distracted her, and Charlotte put her cell phone back in her pocket. Maybe if she could convincingly play the role of fiancée and devoted stepmother, Jessica would get scared off? Maybe she’d realize that her baby was better off with her and Nick, and she could get rid of her before Nick even got home?

It was a huge long shot, but she didn’t have anything else, and she needed to do something. She felt so helpless, just waiting.

“I’m actually his fiancée.” She pressed her lips together. “We’re just so in love, it’s been really great.” She sat next to Jessica on the couch. “I really don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t met him. It’s like we were meant to be, you know?” She hated the way her voice dripped with over-the-top sweetness. But she needed this woman to understand that she and Nick were unbreakable. She couldn’t sweep in and—

“I think that’s great.” Jessica nodded a little as she smiled. “Are you two going to have children of your own?”

The question took her off guard, but she recovered quickly. “I think Amelia will be a fabulous big sister, so I would love to give her a little brother or sister as soon as possible.”

Jessica’s smile dropped and her face screwed up into a frown.

Yes.Charlotte did a silent cheer. That had done it.Jessica would see that they were a perfect family and Amelia belonged with them, and—

“I think you might be confused,” Jessica said slowly.

“Confused?” Charlotte chuckled and shook her head. “I don’t think so. We are going to have children.”

“Amelia ismydaughter.” Jessica’s voice took on an edge. “She’s not yours.”

Charlotte’s spine stiffened. “I mean, I know she’s not mine by birth.” She worked hard to control her voice. “But, I love her as if she’s my own. And any child of Nick’s is—”

“That’s just it.” Jessica interrupted. “I thought you knew. Amelia isn’t Nick’s daughter.”

Something close to rage boiled through her, but somehow Charlotte managed to contain herself. “What Iknowis that Nick is an amazing father to that baby. He hasn’t hesitated to jump in and raise her. He’s given up everything for her, and that is what a father is. It doesn’t matter one bit if he isn’t biologically Amelia’s father. He’s been working hard to do whatever he can to make sure that Amelia’s needs come first and that the decisions that are made are in Amelia’s best interest.”

Jessica didn’t say anything for a moment, but she recovered quickly. “Well,” she said with a grin. “If Nick is so worried about what’s best for Amelia, he’ll have already told you that what’s best for Amelia has already been decided.”

What?Nick hadn’t said a word to her about it. Charlotte swallowed hard, unwilling to show this woman that she’d gotten to her.

“Andithasbeen decided,” Jessica continued. “Amelia will be leaving with me. Her mother.”

Charlotte worked hard to remember the breath work her therapist had taught her, but it was all she could do to simply get air in and out of her lungs to keep breathing. Somehow she managed to pull one breath in and then another but oxygen was still having trouble reaching her brain, because she was sure she’d heard Jessica say that she’d be taking Amelia. That it had beendecided.

“Pardon me?” Charlotte interrupted. “Did you just say that—”

Jessica cut her off with a nod. “I’m not sure what Nick told you about me, but I’m willing to bet it had everything to do with my past and not my present.”

Charlotte shook her head in disbelief.

“And yes, I left her with him. Who wouldn’t? I mean, there could have been a chance that he was the father. He’s not,” she added pointedly. “But who wouldn’t want a billionaire to be the father of their baby, right?”

She laughed a little, but there was nothing humorous about it.This couldn’t be real. This woman couldn’t be real. The things she was saying...

“Anyway…my lawyer…well, he’s notmylawyer, but he’s legal aid, and he said that Nick had applied for adoption and there’s no way. So I’m here to take her back.”

“Take her back?” Charlotte repeated. “That’s not how it works.” She knew she shouldn’t say anything to aggravate the woman, but she couldn’t stop herself. “Whatever you think you know, Nick is Amelia’s father and very clearly the best parent for her.” She raised her eyebrows. She knew all about Jessica’s substance abuse and her history. In any other situation, she would have felt like a grade-A bitch, but all bets were off if it meant protecting what was hers. And as unconventional as it was, Nick and Amelia werehers.

“But he’s not the parent,” Jessica said. “And you both clearly know it.”

“That doesn’t matter. You’re—”

“Itdoesmatter,” Jessica said. “Quite a bit, actually. Which is why I’m here.”

“But you’re an…”

“Addict?” Jessica finished for her. She shut her eyes for a moment and when she opened them, they focused like lasers on Charlotte. “I am. I was. I…it’s a constant work in progress,” she said, as if it were part of a rehearsed script. “I work at it every day. For Amelia. I do it for her.”

“But you—”

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