Chapter 10
NAOMI
“Jake.. Blake” My voice is stern as I call my boys.
Circenn is looking at
at me like I am making the silliest mistake of my life.
He just said the silliest thing, and yet he is the one looking at me with such eyes.
How dare he! His audacity is staggering
That mouth, no matter how gorgeous, spews entitlement and arrogance.
He thinks his wealth and influence give him the right to dictate my role as a parcist. Please, He wasn’t there for the labor, the late nights, or the early
mornings
He didn’t feel the twins first kicks or hold them in his arms as they took their first breaths. And yet, he has the nerve to suggest I relinquish my role as a primary parent!
Let him think again
I’ll never let him buy his way into our lives like that
1 approached him only to become a father figure, not to sell myself or the twins.
“What are you doing?” He asks
My boys rush up to me
“Are we leaving now, mommy?” Blake asks.
“Yes,” I say, staring at Circenn.
“I don’t want to leave now” Blake whines
“Me too,” Jake adds quietly.
“Ms. Gilmore, please have a seat and let’s talk about this,” Circenn is horribly stern with his words.
I glance down at the twins and beckon them to go play more before continuing the conversation.
“There’s nothing to talk about,” I say, shaking my head.
“You do not like my offer!”
“Your offer. You are trying to take my kids away from me. I keep my voice down, whisper–yelling my way through.
“No. I promise, you’ll still see them.” He shakes his head. “I just need you to understand that they’re my heir and
“Okay, enough with this I cut him off
He looks mad
I get it now. He hates being cut off.
Tour years ago, I wanted to abort them without even trying to confront you about it. Because you’re Circenn McCain, and I was a nobody. I thought, “Someone like him would have gotten a lot of women pregnant, so what would mine be like?
And when I showed up in front of you. How did you treat me? Now, Mr. Circenn, if I had aborted your kids after you sent me money like a beggar and denied your children, how do you think you’d have any heirs now?”
“Like I said. I made a mistake.”
He sighs
“They’re mine You have no say in this. If I hadn’t educated them on Circenn McCain being their father, do you think they’d be here right now!”
My war was getting gruesome.
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Chapter 10
“Well, you did. You’re a great mother.” He says it, but it comes out as sarcasm.
“You’re unbelievable”
“I just want to form an alliance with you, Naomi.“
The way he says my name is not captivating at all, it is fierce and feels everything like his name.
“Depriving my kids of me is never an alliance.”
“I just want to be in their lives. This is a big deal for me. I’ve already missed out on three years and a few months, I don’t want to be any further.”
“And you won’t. I got you involved in their lives for a reason. Your sudden greed is beyond my words,” I sigh
“Then what do you want! Four years ago, you wanted money. Is it still the same!” He asks,
This
man
ais truly beyond my words.
I don’t argue, and I just let out another sigh. “What’s more valuable than money?”
“More money? He presses.
“I just want a father and a financially stable life for my kids. I would have raised them without you, but it’s only fair that you’re involved”
Circenn nods, agreeing with me.
“Why don’t we tweak the contract a bit?” He presses.
“T be in charge of their financial and decision–making rights. I’ll have more visitation rights too.”
“We will both be in charge of their decision–making rights. I just want my kids to be happy,” I nod.
“As do 1.” He carefully blinks.
“I want to be with them more.” He continues.
This isn’t going anywhere. We’re not going to come to a perfect decision until he really thinks about this.
“I know. How about we think about this and talk about it later!” I say, getting on my teet
He embraces the twins, his eyes filled with affection and longing.
His gaze follows us, a mix of sadness and possessiveness. He’s reluctant to let go; his selfish desires are crystal clear.
But I stand Erm, knowing this is best for the twins
With a deep breath, I guide them away, leaving him to confront reality.
I get home and walk into my study to see Aunt Maggie hovering over my computer with the most attentive e gaze on the screen…
She sees me and immediately gives me a single clap
“You’re here!”
“What” I drop my purse.
She looks at ine and shakes her head.
“I’ve got good news and bad news. Whichever you want to hear first.”
I pause, trying to catch any hint on Aunt Maggie’s face.
But I get nothing
A stoning wanan like that rarely gives off any en
fad one best. I ood, placing my hand on my hips and waiting for the worst to be heard.
Chapter 10
“I’m sorry. The good news first. It kind of leads to why it brings a bad ne-
“Geez. Just tell me, you’re killing me with the anticipation.”
She laughs softly
Good. Laughing means everything’s good.
She beckons me to come over to the computer.
“I couldn’t help but overhear some exciting chatter today, so I decided to dive into our beauty brand’s salles figures. And Naomi, the numbers are truly impressive! In just a few short hours, we’ve seen a remarkable 30% increase in sales.
Our lip gloss and hair spray products are flying off the shelves.
And our body rollers? They’re a hot commodity, with customers snatching them’all up.
we’re really making a mark today in the competitive cosmetics industry”
1 gasp.
“What?” I freeze, but my hand is still working on my computer.
“How is this
even possible?” I ask
“It’s all thanks to you, Aunt Maggie comments. “You showed up at Circenn’s party. So now you’re kind of a big shot. A lot of females who wish to be with Circenn are looking you up on the internet. Some are curious as to what woman the almighty Circenn is finally daring. And some ran a series of background checks on you. They saw you were our company’s head manager, and that’s how things went west.”
I cover my mouth with both hands.
“This is insane.”
“I know, right?” Aunt Maggie laughs.
Is this how influential Circenn can be?
I decide not to get over the moon and propel the matter.
“And the bad news!” I ask
“Because of the background checks on you. Some reporters have figured out where you live. I caught two snoopers snooping around the back fence facing this building today. With heavy cameras hanging from their necks”
“Crap“” I mutter.
“Real crap. This can literally endanger twin’s safety,” Aunt Maggie says. “And that’s why we need a plan.”
The doorbell rings all over the house and Aunt Maggie and I rush to get the door.
We are not expecting anyone.
We barely know anyone here in the city since we came
No who could i
