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“More than just that,” Terrance said. “It means you will not be in contact with the Crane family, at all. No letters. No pictures. Your child will never know you. Another woman may also raise your child as her own. Are you okay with all of that?”
My chest tightened. Putting it that way seemed so cold. It sounded harder than I originally thought it would.
Terrance continued. “If you saw Mr. Crane and the child out in public, you would not be allowed to interact with the child even –”
Malcolm cut him off, “Terrance, enough. Let's not beat a dead horse. And I'm not going to be a complete asshole about this,” he said. “Look at her, you're scaring her half to death.”
“I just want to make sure it's clear what she's getting herself into.”
“I think you've made it perfectly clear,” I said.
My voice didn't crack, and I actually sounded calm. Kudos to me.
Malcolm continued. “I'm not going to keep the child from her, especially if they ask about their mother,” he said. “I'm going to be honest and if they want to build a relationship, they can. That's up to them, not me”
I felt a smile pulling at my lips, but it didn't last.
“I know you mean well, Malcolm, but for the protection of your family, I will have to discourage that sort of mentality.” Terrance's eyes narrowed as he looked at me. “No offense to Miss Melville, but – ”
He didn't have to continue. I knew exactly what he was getting at, I'd been looked down upon by people all my life, so I was familiar with the attitude. I knew he was afraid that someone like me could bring shame to the Crane family.
I stopped him before he continued. “Mr. Houston, you have nothing to worry about. I know my place.”
“Casey – ” Malcolm cut in.
I held up a hand to silence him. He actually listened.
“No, Malcolm, I get it,” I said. “I'll admit that I was surprised you were being so nice to me, but once I discovered you needed something from me, it made perfect sense. I know my purpose in all of this. I know my role and I'm willing to play it.”
My eyes stung with tears, but I held them back, somehow. I kept it together, sitting upright and faced both of them with dignity. Like I'd said, I knew my place, and it would never be at the side of someone like Malcolm Crane.
Malcolm said, “Casey, that's not why I was nice to you.”
“It doesn't matter,” I said. “I'm not going to cause any problems, and I understand that I give up all parental rights once I hand the child over to Malcolm. I'm not naive enough to think it's going to be easy, but I trust that Malcolm can give my – err, his – child a better life than I ever could. And with the payment, I can start a family of my own one day. I understand everything that is at stake here.”
Terrance nodded. “Good. I'm glad we can agree on this, Miss Melville.”
“I'm ready to sign.”
I went through the contract and read everything, and when I got to the end, Terrance handed me a pen. Malcolm and I signed all three copies, and Terrance put one set of papers in the folder and handed it over to me.
“My card is in there if you have any questions, Miss Melville,” he said. ?
?It's been a pleasure doing business with you both, but I need to get home. My wife is waiting.”
Malcolm stood, and the two men shook hands as I gathered my things. They continued to talk as I snuck out through the doors, seeing myself out. I was nearly to the elevators when a voice called from behind me.
It was Terrance.
“Miss Melville,” he said. “I apologize. I hope I wasn't too harsh on you in there.”
I shook my head. “It's fine. I'm used to it.”
He studied my face for a long time, then looked back toward the conference room. He leaned a little closer to me and lowered his voice as he spoke.
“I just want to make sure it's clear that as soon as this baby is born, you are out of the picture,” he said. “Malcolm has a good heart, he wants to do the right thing for everyone. But, he doesn't always think about himself and his family. He doesn't need any distractions right now, and that means –”
The conference room doors opened up, and Malcolm stood there, tall and handsome as ever, smiling back at us.
