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He leaves the apartment, and I really wish everyone would just stay the hell out of my business. I know what’s best, and this is it.
Chapter27
Adeline
When I pull into my driveway, I see a dark-windowed sedan parked in front of my house. Who the hell is this? Is Damon filing custody papers against me? These last couple of days without Clover have been even more unbearable than the two weeks before without Damon.
I park my car and get out, waiting for the person in the back seat to emerge. My voice locks down when I see Stanley Siska.
I close my eyes.
“Good evening, Adeline,” he says. “I’m sorry for dropping in on you like this, but I felt what I needed to discuss with you should be done face-to-face.”
“Okay, would you like to come in?”
“I would love to, thank you.”
I unlock my door, and he steps in after me. “Sorry, Clover is with Damon this week.”
“I’m aware. Heather is with them now. Damon isn’t aware I’m in town. He believes his mom came on her own.”
“Okay…” That’s weird. “Coffee? Tea?”
“Just a water is fine. Thank you.” He sits at my kitchen table and pulls out some papers.
Great. Fucking papers. I knew it.
“If that’s a custody agreement, I will have you know that I don’t have nearly the money you do, but I will find a way to fight for my daughter. You cannot take her away from me.”
He sighs. “I would never, and I’m embarrassed that I ever gave you the impression I would take your daughter from you. Please sit.” He holds out his hand, and I slide into the chair across from him. “The way I treated you at the shower wasn’t kind, and I apologize. You are both grown adults and have every right and ability to make your own decisions without me inserting myself. It’s just…” He stares off for a moment. “Damon was our easy child. He did what he was supposed to all the time. Worked his ass off to play pro, and we couldn’t be prouder of him in that regard. But there was a life-altering event that happened to him in high school. It’s not my story to tell, but his mother and I believe that one horrible thing changed him. We tried to get him counseling, but he refused. Said he was able to deal with it on his own.”
I’m dying to know what the heck he’s talking about.
“I’m not sure what happened between you and Damon. All Heather and I were told by our son was you’d moved out and you two would be sharing custody. He only told us because Heather wanted to know about the holidays. Knowing him, he wouldn’t have told us otherwise. He’s kept people at arm’s length ever since…”
“That’s not it. He just doesn’t love me, Mr. Siska.”
He chuckles. “If you think my son doesn’t love you, you’re as blind as he is.”
I say nothing, and he takes a sip of his water.
“Let me get back to what I was saying. When Damon told us he got a one-night stand pregnant, I wasn’t surprised. And I wasn’t happy. His lifestyle was bound to catch up to him. But, and I do not say this to sound like an ass, we have money. Damon has a lot of money between his trust and his salary with the Grizzlies, not to mention his endorsements. There are women out there who would want a piece of it. But you’re not that type, are you?”
“No, I’m not.”
“I can assure you, I don’t think you are.” He chuckles again. “And because of that, I brought these papers. This is Clover’s trust, and there are now only two people who can control it until she turns of age.” He slides the papers toward me, where it shows Damon Siska listed as father and Adeline Morgan listed as mother. “It’s set up for her to access when she’s twenty-five. I did put a stipulation that I’d like her to go to college before she’s to get it. She’ll have enough in an account that Heather and I will make for her to pay for college.”
“You don’t have to do that. The trust is more than she’ll ever need. Damon and I will figure something out.”
Though I was hesitant about the trust fund at first, it’s a good feeling to know your daughter will one day be so well taken care of financially. Not that she’ll know anything about it until she’s twenty-four and three-quarters years old.
“She’s our grandchild, and I fear she’ll be our only one if my son keeps denying his feelings.”
“Thank you. It means a lot to me that you trust me to be in charge of it for her. I would never touch that money.”
“I know. I’d offer you money, but I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t take anything from me.”
“You’re right, I wouldn’t.”
