AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My voice surprised even me. Malcolm's face fell, and he looked over at Terrance before looking back at me.
“It's not about trust, Casey,” he said. “It's just business.”
I scoffed, mostly to myself. “You trust me to carry your baby for nine months, but not to know better than to drink or do drugs while pregnant with said child.”
Terrance spoke up. “Miss Melville, is there a problem? If you're having any doubts about this agreement, please speak up now.”
One hundred thousand dollars. That was a lot of money. More than I'd probably see in my lifetime. Outside of winning the lottery, this was my only chance to get ahold of that kind of cash. Considering I didn't do any of the things they asked me to abstain from, it wasn't a problem. The lack of trust was most concerning to me, but maybe he was right. It was business. Malcolm did things differently as a business man.
“If it makes Mr. Crane feel better, I'm happy to sign the document,” I said. “None of those things are a problem for me anyway.”
Terrance studied my face long and hard and I could have sworn I saw skepticism flash in his eyes. I felt the bitter taste of anger rising up within me, but I choked it back. Now was not the time for that.
Malcolm continued, “I'd encourage you to read through the contracts yourself. If there's anything you don't understand or have questions about, feel free to ask,” he said. “Most of it is straight forward – like, once the child is born, you will forfeit all parental rights over to me.”
Terrance cut in. “Do you understand that what means, Miss Melville?”
“Yes, I'm aware that I won't be in the child's life,” I said softly. “It's been made clear to me already.”
“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 do
esn'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.”
