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I laugh again.
"I --- uh," she starts.
I speak over her "I mean, I know nobody wants to be a full-time mother these days; having a child is so exhausting, so I know you didn't want that, obviously." I shrug "but then to get at him you really should have just asked for money. He is obsessed with that child. It's a bit annoying really."
"How much do you think I could have asked for?" Karla is glued to this conversation. "Not sure honey. But he certainly has enough to go around." I keep going, feeding the monster.
"Daniel, maybe we should change the contract. She is right. I definitely don't want that kid, but if we can get money instead--- with you being cut off and all."
Daniel doesn't even look bothered to be having this conversation in front of me. How arrogant is he? "There is still time to change the contact, babe, he hasn't signed yet. We can take him for everything he has. He can keep the brat and we can take the money." It makes me physically ill.
I want to slap them both, but instead, I say, "Wasn't that your goal anyway? You wasted it on that clause about me." She has this evil look in her eyes.
"It was the goal, yes, but court wasn't going well, and we ended up just trying to get back at him instead. I mean, like I said. No thanks to the brat, but I didn't think he would pay out money." She's stupid. He'd have done anything to keep his son.
Daniel is on his phone. "I am going to call the lawyer now and have them draft a new contract." Not wasting any time, I should have known.
"Yes, baby." Karla did a little happy jump.
I have what I need. "Gosh guys, I didn't realize the time, I have to run. There's a party waiting for me somewhere. It is so nice catching up. Let's do this again sometime." I give my best fake smile.
Karla hugs me, grinning from ear to ear.
"Bye, Gianna, let's go for drinks some time." I would rather chew my own arm off.
"Sure," I say, not able to hide the sarcasm in my voice.
I step out onto the street and Hudson is waiting for me around the corner.
"Gianna, wow. That was perfect." He picks me up and spins me around. "Let's get out of here. I need to call Tony and set up a meeting with Karla's lawyer."
Needless to say, the moment Daniel and Karla found out that there was a recording, they went deathly pale and silent. They were apparently all sitting in the boardroom when Hudson mentioned it. He took his phone out and placed it on the table in front of both teams of lawyers. He pressed play and the room fell icy quiet as their words drifted through the air.
Karla's lawyer had apparently turned to steel. All he had said to her was, "Karla, there is no coming back from that. If the press gets hold of it, just sign whatever Hudson wants you to sign and walk away with whatever dignity you have left." She has no dignity at all, so there is none to salvage.
Karla had not said a word. She had not argued. When Hudson's attorney slid the new contract over to her she did not even read it. She just picked up a pen and signed every page and walked out of the room.
Hudson won the case and Karla did not even get a penny. I get to keep the two most important men in my life, him, and Taylor.
We are out celebrating with Samantha and Claire at a fancy cocktail lounge in town. Hudson is standing with his arm around me, holding me close and my heart is screaming with joy. This is the first time we can be out in public and completely open about the fact that we are together. This is the first time that we can be standing here, surrounded by strangers, and feel totally safe. He leans close to my ear and says "Hey, beautiful. Do you want to dance?" He does not wait for my reply, just takes my hand, and leads me to the dance floor.
He holds me close, sliding his hand down my back and cupping my ass cheek. "Behave!" I laugh.
"Let them watch," he kisses me deeply. We see the flashes going off. There will always be a reporter hiding somewhere, but we honestly do not care. Let them see how happy we are together.
It is the most magical night. We dance and laugh and do not have a care in the world. It is so relaxing.
"There's just one more problem, Hudson," I say.
"What is that, my love?" He sounds worried.
"Your mother still hates me." Hate isn't even a strong enough word.
He laughs a deep loud laugh that fills the room.
"Oh baby, don't you worry about that. She will warm up to you. As soon as she gets to know who you really are, how could she possibly not love you too." Has he met his mother? Eskimos are warmer.
He kisses me again and my body shivers with pleasure.
