Chapter 17

Jasmine

We left after lunch. Emily and Clyde gave us both big hugs and kisses and made me promise we would come back next weekend. They were so hospitable and welcoming I couldn’t say no to them. Bella was just as enamoured by them.

I haven’t been able to look Christian in the eye since this morning. When I tried to sit in the back behind him, he pulled me to the passenger side at the front without saying a word. We drive down the motorway. I look back at Bella, who is happily singing a nursery song while looking out of the window.

“Did you have fun, Bella?” Christian asks her.

“Yes. Can we really come back again, Mr Hayes?”

“Of course you can. I’m your private driver now whenever you want to see everyone.”

“I like your car. It’s so tall.” She said as she stretches her hands up trying to touch the roof.

Glancing out of the corner of my eye at him, he is smiling and looking in the rear-view mirror at Bella.

He spent some time with Connor and Bella yesterday as they played. I never could have imagined he was so good with children. I watched Connor interact with his grandparents and uncles. There is so much love in their home. Emily and Clyde made us feel like part of their family. This is the sort of family I had wished for Bella.

I sigh, thinking about Mavis and Wilfred. They don’t like Bella, never mind love her. I couldn’t ever risk them getting their hands on her.

“What’s wrong?”

“I was just thinking about Mavis and Wilfred.”

“You don’t need to worry about them. We have dealt with them.”

My head swivels over to him, but he is looking at the road now.

“What do you mean? How? I have been waiting for my solicitor to get back to me.”

“Mr Wilson gave us everything we needed. I had my friend take over. Mr Wilson was more than happy to let us sort this out. You won’t be charged for anything.”

I blink at him in disbelief. I look back at Bella, who is happily looking out of the window again. She seems oblivious to our conversation.

“Can we talk about this before you go?”

“Sure.” He said calmly.

I feel anything but calm. As much as he says it has been dealt with. Mavis wasn’t about to let this go without a fight.

Being back home shouldn’t make me feel sad, but that’s how I felt when I walk through the door with Bella. Christian comes in behind us. Bella squirms to be let down. As soon as I let her down, she runs off to her bedroom.

I take my bag from Christian and go into the kitchen. It’s the only room farthest away from Bella’s.

“They can’t take Bella from me?” I ask him as soon as I see him come through the door. I close the door behind him as he walks into the kitchen and sits down.

“No. They can’t touch Bella. We are requesting a restraining order and suing them for slander and harassment.”

I sit on the chair opposite him.

“The probate will be complete by next week. Miles has rushed the other case through to a judge he knows.”

I swallow before licking my lips nervously.

“You’re sure the court can’t award them any kind of custody or visitation.”

“No, the family court didn’t take kindly to their tactics. Miles has promised me they won’t be allowed anywhere near you without being penalised.”

I left out the breath I was holding onto.

“I don’t know how to thank you, Christian.”

“You don’t need to thank me for anything. I protect what is mine.”

I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out.

“I’m going to say goodbye to Bella. I will be back here tomorrow morning.”

“Why?” I blurt out.

He stands up and walks over to me. He kisses the top of my head.

“To see Bella off to nursery.”

He walks out of the kitchen, leaving me watching his denim clad ass.

What the fuck is happening?