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“All of it will be public. Your pregnancy. The fact that Declan is the father, and the fact that there is some sort of rift between the two of you.”
I rub my forehead. Shit. The last thing I want is for this to be front page news around the world. The First Lady’s sister getting knocked up by the President’s brother. God. What a mess. This was always meant to stay a secret.
“It will be public, of course, once the baby is born, but this would at least buy time. We can think about how we want to address this in the press – with the public.”
Declan’s looking at Zadie and asks, “What kind of rights do I have now?”
“None – basically. Not until the baby is born.”
I’m watching him out of the corner of my eye.
“Why?” Zadie asks.
“I want to go to the doctor’s appointments.”
Zadie continues talking like I’m not there. “It’s really only if the mother consents. She has a right to privacy and autonomy.”
Everyone’s eyes are on me. I don’t want this. I don’t want any of this.
“Maggie, I know this isn’t what you originally wanted, but there’s nothing you can do about it now,” Elizabeth says. “Without the contract, you’re going to have to co-parent.”
I feel sick.
I turn my body toward Declan and look him square in the face. “I didn’t think you wanted this.”
“I do want this, Maggie. I wouldn’t be sitting here if I didn’t.”
“Isn’t this going to mess up your ability to bring home teenagers for threesomes,” I spit out.
He doesn’t respond, but his eyes flare. No one else in the room makes a sound. Finally I whisper, “It feels like you’re punishing me.”
His brow wrinkles. “Punishing you? For what?”
I don’t answer. Maybe for moving on? For Hugo? I just shrug and then say “So, you’re just going to take this baby from me, is that it?”
“What? Of course not! Maggie, haven’t you been listening to me?”
James stands up and holds up his hands. “What about mediation? Would you consider that?”
We both shrug.
“Elizabeth is right. It won’t be good for either of you if this leaks out to the press. Once the baby is born, we can just announce it and not comment on the status of your relationship. When the press pushes it, we won’t comment, citing your privacy. Eventually, it will die down. If the press gets a whiff of scandal, they will hound you for years.”
He’s right. I know he’s right.
I sigh. “Fine. You can come to doctor’s appointments, but only the important ones.”
He’s fighting a smile. “Okay. I can live with that, and I want to be at the birth.”
I hesitate. I feel every eye on me right now.
“I’ll think about it,” I mutter.
Sterling Family Text Thread
Keene: Are we allowed to acknowledge that was the most awkward dinner in the history of the world?
Zadie: No.
