Page 186 of Labor of Love

They really should consider renaming the whole country ‘Archaic’ instead.

Needless to say, as I approach my shop, I can confirm this is not one of those dreaded temporary solutions. This place isn’t just a job, it’s my heart. I glance up at the cute bookstore that’s been like a second home to me and take a deep breath.

I love my bookstore, even if I don’t want to be here today.

With a huge smile plastered on my face, I enter The Book Corner with confidence.

“Hi Kestrel,” my coworker, Rosy, says from the front counter. She rushes forward and swoops me into a hug. “Today’s the big day, huh?”

My smile must waver because her whole face softens. “I’m so sorry, Kes. I know the divorce has been really hard on you, but you deserve so much better.”

“Is he here yet?” I whisper, glancing at the back hall. The ‘he’ I’m referring to is my ex, Franky. The alpha who’s trying to take everything away from me, even this shop.

She shakes her head. “Not yet.”

I nod and make my way to the restroom, where I splash water on my face. Glancing up at my reflection, I take in my appearance. I got my wavy black hair from my Filipino mother and my facial features from my Mexican father.

Fuck, I miss you, Papa.I can’t believe it’s already been five years. He would have known what to do to help me. Usually, I’d go to Mama for help, but as an omega, there’s really nothing she can do, and I don’t want to ask her new husband for help. Plus, the idea of her knowing I could lose Papa’s bookstore today would probably kill her.

I pat my face dry with a paper towel and look at my reflection. The flowy blue top looks nice on me. Nothing too crazy, but it’s stylish enough to look presentable and loose enough to hide things that need hiding.

I place a protective hand on my stomach.

You can do this, Kestrel. He doesn’t know.

There’s a knock on the door, and I whip my hand away before I’m caught. “Just a minute,” I call out.

The door opens, and I momentarily curse myself for not locking it. Technically, there are two stalls in here, but I really just needed a moment. One moment to compose myself. When Rosy pokes her head in, I visibly relax. “They’re here,” she whispers.

“Thanks.” I straighten my blouse and look in the mirror one more time. Taking a deep breath, I slide my smile back onto my face, walk out of the restroom, and see what Fate has in store for me.

Thirty minutes later, I’m sitting at my desk in the back office while Franky and his lawyer, James, sit across from me. James has always been nice, but when faced with the laws of this backward country, I don’t think there was much he could do for me.

“As of right now, Franky is the owner of The Book Corner.” James gives me a sorrowful look.

“What do you mean that my ex is the owner of my bookstore? This shop has been in my family for generations. My grandfather owned it, and his father did before that. My alpha father left it to me in his will. Legally, it’s mine. I still have all the necessary paperwork.” As soon as the words are out, I hold my breath and brace myself.

Franky just smirks before dramatically crossing his legs and lounging back as if he knows he already won. He looks good; always does in his fancy designer clothes and his too-perfect teeth. Franky screams wealth and fake niceties.

James brightens for a moment before schooling his expression into a neutral one. My lips twitch. I knew James was a good guy. He has an omega daughter that’s about my age, and I can’t imagine him wanting to help any alpha that would hurt her the way Franky hurt me.

“Do you have a copy of the will?” I nod.

“Well then, that will buy you some time, but not much,” James says.

“What the fuck?” Franky barks out. “I married the pathetic little omega and he couldn’t even get pregnant. That’s years of my youth wasted. I demand this bookstore be my compensation.”

James snarls at Franky, clearly the stronger alpha of the two, before slipping back into a calm demeanor. “Unfortunately for you, Kestrel,” James continues, as if Franky didn’t say anything. “Since you married Franky, he has the rights to any of your possessions. It might seem harsh, but we are in Arkadia, and the alphas are in control here.”

“What do you mean, it ‘buys me some time?’” My mind races for a solution. “And what do I need to do to keep my family’s shop?” I drop the word ‘family,’ hoping that Franky will back off,andto remind James that this shop should be mine.

I need this shop. I can handle Franky taking everything else. But this shop is my life, and hopefully, it’s financial security for the little bean growing inside of me. I fight the urge to rub my stomach for comfort. If I had it my way, I would never let the abusive prick know he finally got me pregnant.

I peer over at Franky sadly. He wasn’t always like this. When we first met, he used to shower me with gifts, and I stupidly ignored all the signs. Once I was living with him and met his family, I found out that Franky was the worst type of alpha. One that beat his own mother and sister.

I have no doubt if he found out I was having his child, he’d take my little bean away from me. I need to do whatever I can to protect them. I know he would hurt my child just like he hurt me.

No. That will never happen. I won’t let it.

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