Page 89 of The In-Laws

‘Who knows about this?’ Nancy asked. She was in business mode now. Melanie marvelled at how focused she was – nothing could faze her mother-in-law for long.

‘No one knows he’s the dad – yet.’

Nancy nodded. ‘Right. Well, Ross will get the contracts over to you next week, as he says. We can work out a compromise that works for all parties. Then a social-media post from both of you would get ahead of the gossip.’

‘Yes, that sounds good.’ Ross was trying to get back some control, but Melanie could see it was far too late for that. He was caught between his mother and his mistress. Talk about a rock and a hard place. She looked at Jamie and Katie, and they were entranced, hanging on every word.

‘I’ll think about it,’ Ruby said, holding Nancy’s gaze.

‘This doesn’t have to be a big scandal or fodder for gossip if we handle it upfront and appear united,’ Nancy said. ‘I’m sure you don’t want negative publicity following you around. It wouldn’t be good for your reputation as a children’s author.’

Melanie had to admire Nancy: she was good at crisis control.

Ruby smiled. ‘I doubt your agency needs the publicity either, not great foryourreputation. My baby is more important than anything, so if I feel I’m being treated fairly, we can resolve this peacefully. Otherwise … you will be facing the wrath of an angry pregnant woman and no one wants that, believe me.’

Melanie looked at Katie and raised her eyebrows. Nancy had met her match. Ruby was no pushover. Melanie was impressed with her don’t-even-think-about-messing-with-me demeanour. She was not going to be intimidated by Nancy, and certainly not by Ross. He had picked the wrong woman for this game.

‘There is no need for threats,’ Nancy said haughtily. ‘My son will step up, you have my word.’

Ruby laughed bitterly. ‘I don’t think your family’s word holds any weight. You have a week to send me a contract, and it had better be a generous one.’

With that, Ruby turned on her heel and stalked out, leaving the three brothers and matriarch reeling. Melanie met Katie’s eye, and knew she was thinking the same thing as her – poor Amanda.

31. Amanda

Amanda sat on the edge of the bed, watching her husband pace up and down.

‘She came to the office! How could she do that? Jesus, my workplace!’

Amanda didn’t blame Ruby Rose for turning up at the agency. If she had been in her position, she’d probably have done the same. Ross had been avoiding her and not returning her calls. What choice did she have? This baby was arriving whether Ross was ready for it or not. ‘You should have contacted her.’

‘I was going to!’ Ross said. ‘I was just waiting for my lawyer to draw up an airtight contract. I told her I’d be in touch as soon as I’d figured things out.’

‘She’s over seven months pregnant, Ross. She could go into labour early and she wants to know what’s going on.’

Ross stopped pacing and faced his wife. ‘Whose side are you on?’

‘Yours.’Mine and Theo’s actually. ‘But you need to get this sorted ASAP.’

‘I know. I’m doing my best.’

Are you, though? Seems to me like you’re dragging your heels.

‘What have you decided?’

‘I’m going to offer to cover half of all the childcare costs and visit once a month. Is that okay?’

Now you’re asking if it’s okay. Didn’t think to ask me if it was okay to screw a younger woman, make her pregnant and ruin my life, but now you want my opinion?

‘As long as you can rent a decent house for us, pay Theo’s school and, hopefully, college fees, I don’t want to know what you do with her and the baby.’

Ross crouched in front of his wife. ‘I promise I will always look after you and Theo. You are my priority. I’m so sorry.’

Sorry, sorry, sorry. It was just a word people used after they had hurt you.

‘What did the others say?’

Ross groaned and filled her in on the showdown at the agency, with Nancy and Ruby facing off like two prize bulls.

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