Page 86 of Untroubled Heart

“What’s she worth to you?” He lifts his hand slowly, running a finger down my arm, and I shift away with rising anger. “Cos I’m thinking you want her all to yourself, but what do I get out of it?”

“You didn’t want to be a part of her life twelve months ago, remember?” I say through my teeth. “And if you don’t sign the agreement, then I’ll push for child support, so you tell me what it’s worth to you.”

“Fuck, Callista…” He wets his bottom lip, trailing his eyes over me. “When’d you get so ballsy?”

When I found something worth holding on to.

“Sign the paperwork.”

He runs his tongue over his teeth, chuckling with a domineering sneer. “I’ll sign it… for a price.”

I scoff. “The money you already stole from me wasn’t enough?”

“I’ve been watching you, you know.” My blood runs cold. “And you know what I’ve seen? It looks like she found herself a daddy who does want her, and he’s got some deep pockets. So if you want that white picket fence you were always chasing, then I think you should be more concerned with keeping me happy and not pissing me off. A mil should do it.”

My breath falls. “A million dollars? You’re delusional. I’m not giving you shit. I don’t even have that kind of money.”

He looks over my shoulder, nostrils flaring before he chuckles, and I almost think I’ve won.

His eyes find mine again, narrowed and smug. “Fine, we can do it your way, go through the lawyers. They can help decide how we’re both going to raise our daughter. Be good co-parents. I really enjoyed hearing you on the phone the other day. Those pretty little sounds you made. With both of us raising her, I guess we’ll have to get comfortable with more contact.” He winks, then slowly backs away. “Talk soon, Callista.”

It feels like my chest is caving in as I watch Derek walk away, holding my composure until he’s out of sight, only then can I breathe. My head feels heavy, and my lungs burn as I try to figure out what to do.

He wasn’t always like this. You’d never call him ambitious or generous, but he was upbeat and carefree. In high school, that equalled fun and exciting. Towards the end of our relationship, I didn’t recognise the person he’d become. I almost didn’t recognise myself.

There’s no way I’m asking Mason for money. The fact that Derek would stoop that low makes my blood boil, but I will not be like every other woman Mason’s had in his life who thinks they can get something out of him.

No.

This is for me to fix, and I’m gonna fight for my daughter. I will show her how to be strong and brave enough to do this the right way, and I’ll do it without giving him a cent.

I reach for my phone, bringing up my lawyer’s contact details.

“Hi, Callie,” Sam says once I’m transferred to her line. “If you’re hoping for an update, I’m afraid they’re still dawdling on your ex’s end.”

“He just came and confronted me in the street.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Tried to ask for a million dollars, said that’s the only way he’ll sign off on me having full custody.”

“He’s dreaming.” Sam laughs. “How did he manage to run into you?”

“Showed up at my work.”

“Well, one might call that stalking and intimidation. Leave it with me. I know where his lawyer frequents. Perhaps I’ll do a little in-person visit of my own.”

“Thanks, Sam.” I hang up then press a kiss to Navie’s head, inhaling her sweet baby smell.

“There you are.”

I spin around, finding Mason just a few paces away with an iced matcha in one hand and an iced chocolate in the other.

“Hey.” I smile.

Should I tell him what happened? I don’t want him to step in and try to fix it. I’m fairly certain he’d just give Derek the money he asked for. I refuse to have my ex tarnish what Mason and I have started. This is too precious.

“Everything good?”