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I know that whatever it is, will only hurt Archer. She can take whatever she wants, but any custody of Archer is off the table.
When I finally park outside my own lawyer’s office, which was designated as today’s meeting location, I see that I still have a few minutes, so I drag my feet on the way up.
When I get there, just seeing the name plaque on Charles’s door makes my stomach turn. I know I have to keep my composure and not show any weakness to Jessica, but when it comes to Archer, anything that could jeopardize his safety or happiness makes me uncomfortable.
Taking a deep breath, I finally turn the door handle, so I can make my way into the room.
Charles’s office is spacious since he’s a partner of the firm, but not as big as mine. He has a large wooden desk that sits in the center of the room with two chairs in front of it. On one side, he has a more casual sitting area with a couch, a few other plush chairs, and a glass coffee table. On the opposite side, he has a large table that matches his desk, like one that would be in a conference room.
Charles is sitting on one side, towards the middle of the table, and Jessica and her lawyer sit across from him.
Jessica doesn’t look any different than the last time I saw her. Her hair is the same shade of blonde, looking as if she just recently got her roots touched up. Pin straight with not a single piece of hair out of place, it matches Jessica’s overall cool, collected demeanor.
A navy blue, knee length, form fitting dress and a pair of black Louboutin heels only add to the air of stoic confidence Jessica carries around her, like she thinks she’s better than everyone else. When I was in my late twenties, it seemed so intoxicating. Now, I don’t understand how I made it through so many years with her.
Walking over to the table, I take a seat next to Charles.
“Why don’t we get started then,” Jessica’s lawyer says as he begins pulling out some papers from his briefcase; his balding head looks particularly shiny as he works to get what he’s looking for.
“So, as you know, Ms. Thomas is looking to gain joint custody of hers and Mr. Mitchell’s son, Archer,” he begins, peering over the sheet of paper. “I imagine you already saw the Complaint for Modification was filed.”
“I did see it,” I intercept, hoping that the sarcastic smile on my face conveys the complete anger and annoyance I feel right now.
Her lawyer looks slightly taken aback by my demeanor. But Jessica, as usual, keeps the same expressionless look on her face.
“Well, we’re also open to discussing visitation rights. You see—” he begins, but the sound of his voice is so irritating, I just have to cut him off.
“No. You see this. I will not sit here and negotiate with a woman who so easily abandoned her child,” I interrupt, not wanting Jessica to think that I would consider for a second her going near my child.
“It wasn’t easy for me,” Jessica says with that same bored look on her face that seems to be perpetually there.
“Why? It wasn’t a good look for you? I know how much optics always mattered to you,” I bite back, not believing that it was hard for her to leave because of her feelings for Archer.
She doesn’t say anything in reply, instead choosing to let out a snobby little huff, only letting her expression break for a moment to narrow her eyes at me before hiding behind a mask of indifference again.
“Well, to avoid time in court, it would be best—” Charles starts, but I already know what he’s going to say.
“Finish that sentence, and you’re fired,” I say darkly, not letting my eyes move from where they are trained across the table.
Charles doesn’t continue, seeming to understand just how deadly serious I am.
“I don’t care how many times I have to show up to court. You aren’t going near Archer. That’s the end of it,” I say as I stand up from the table so abruptly, my chair clatters onto the ground behind me.
I don’t make any moves to pick it up as I exit the room. Once outside the door, I finally release the breath I had been holding.
It went as well as I imagined, and I’m glad to have not cracked under the pressure. I don’t care what papers Jessica has her lawyer draw up.
She’s not going near Archer.
CHAPTER9
MONICA
This is nice.
After I walk into Jared’s office building, the main receptionist at the entrance of the building tells me where I’m supposed to set up. Jared’s office is on the top floor of the twelve-story building with the other executives.
My desk sits right outside of his office to the side of the door. The glass desk looks sleek and shiny, and the large monitor on top of it only adds to the sophisticated feel of the space.
