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Prologue
Bonnie
I stared down at the cashier’s check, the white paper stark against the glea dark wood of the desktop I could barely process as happening Holy cow Apparently, getting rid of er rose to the surface and I glared at the stuffyin front of me
“I don’t knohat ht,” I said defensively “But, I’ a faether”
He laughed and shook his head, then smiled at me sympathetically “Everyone has a price, Ms Hart Samuel isn’t the type to ever settle down Much less at twenty-two Do you think you’re the first wo e?”
I gasped and recoiled in e, it was Sam’s idea He loves me” Even I could hear the note of uncertainty in my voice Sam had a reputation as a ladies’ man, but he’d settled dohen he amous relationship Weren’t we?
Sa man I’d ever known He made me feel like I was the center of his universe He was certainly the epicenter ofto it desperately
“Ms Hart, I’ you a favor here I have no doubt Sah to be able to easily gain custody of your child when he eventually files for divorce” He paused and pushed the check a little further towards o somewhere he won’t find you, raise your baby in peace” His voice was gentle but I wasn’t fooled, the snake was poised, ready to strike any e your identity so that he won’t ever be a threat to your daughter”
At hed and pulled out a sheaf of papers, laying thereeine that he assuhly”
With shaking hands, I grasped the stack and lifted it to scan the contents Pieces of e Until I reached the section that broke it altogether It was buried in legal jargon, but I was snize the basic points In the case of divorce, I had to prove my ability to provide for my child, in equal measure, what could be provided from her father Otherwise, custody would default to the paternal parent
I would receive a tiny settlement, but it wasn’t even in the stratosphere of what I would need to fight forthrough oing to sign this document I took a deep breath and cal it on the desk
Juathered my coat and purse, and snatched the check Carefully, I s no expression It was easy since I had no feelings to express, my heart had turned to stone
“I’ll handle the details I certainly don’t want anything more fro onrain I stood for ait cleanse me, while my hand rested tenderly on my belly We’ll make a fresh start, baby Just you and me