Page 130 of The Contract Marriage

“He even sent Rhys’s security guy to your mom’s house to help you kick your dad out. He’s terrified of anything happening to you.”

My chin trembles, and I cover my face. The depth of his love… “How can he love me like this?” I lower my hand and look at her. “I don’t think I deserve it.”

Max suddenly looks fierce. “Yes, you do! You absofuckinglutely deserve it because he chose to love you.”

And I let him walk away in pain because I was too chickenshit. I was so worried about Brielle and circumstances conspiring to hurt Liam that I forgot I could do him just as much damage. “What have I done?” I whisper, trembling.

“Hey. Hey!” Max grabs my wrist. “Forget about whatever you did. Fight for him. But only if you know, deep in your heart, that that’s what you want.”

“I do.” I nod, then press my lips together. “I have to see him.” There must be something I haven’t thought of… “Do you think Rhys would mind if I parked my car outside your place until Liam comes out? I don’t want to stalk him at work and cause any, you know, professional embarrassment—”

“Oh my God, don’t do that! You should be resting. Growing a baby is hard work.” Max taps her chin, thinking. “This might turn out to be nothing, but there was a bachelor auction a couple of months ago—not sure if you heard about it. One of Elizabeth Pryce-King’s charity things? Anyway, somebody won a date with Liam, but I don’t know what happened afterward. But if she hasn’t claimed that date, you might be able to buy the woman out.” Max gives me a meaningful look…then winks.

I jump out of my chair and hug her. “You’re a genius!”

She laughs and hugs me back. “Good luck. And if you decide to hold a reception or something, you owe me an invitation. Clear?”

Chapter Fifty-Five

Liam

From Rhys’s Cullinan, I stare at my wife and Max at the Italian restaurant. Why this place? Why that table? I’m certain she didn’t pick them for no reason.

If I didn’t know better, I’d assume she was there to relive the memory with Simon, except Max is the wrong person for that.

Olivia seems to be doing okay. A little wan, but she seems at peace after getting Hugh and his family out of her life.

Tyler’s finished, too. Jeremiah told me the prosecutor and police already took photos from the worst angles to ensure he looks like a total piece of shit.

“If there’s anybody on the jury who’s ever had a loved one get pregnant, they’ll find the fucker guilty,” Jeremiah said last time I called. “Just so you know, it might be cheaper to get a therapist to listen to you unload your angst. Do you know what my billing rate is?”

“I don’t care. Just make sure he pays.”

“He will. I know every prosecutor. If not, Catalina does.”

Okay, fair enough. Catalina Huxley is retired, but she was one of the most prolific and respected prosecutors in the country. She knows how to pull strings, and many, many people owe her favors.

I stay in the car while Olivia and Max eat their lunch. My wife has to know about the bad-actor clause… Does she still want the baby? It’s ironic she only married me for the baby, but ended up not needing either of us.

Because the baby never even qualified as a pawn.

A fist clenches around my heart. I never imagined that a baby I created with the woman I’ve loved for twelve years would end up like this…

Angelo looks back at me from the driver’s seat. “You know you can just go talk to your wife, right? She’s in the restaurant. Right there in front of you.”

“Shut up.”

Angelo shakes his head, sucking his teeth. “Can’t believe you caught the bouquet just to end up like this. It’s technically stalking, you know.”

I glare at him. “You can’t stalk your wife.”

“That what Jeremiah told you?”

“I’m sure Rhys told you to just take me to the restaurant, not lecture me on what to do.”

“No. He told me to drive Max to the restaurant because he’s worried about her safety. And you wanted to tag along. I could be watching a documentary.” Angelo looks out the window forlornly and sighs. “Shorebirds.”

“I’m not stopping you.”