7
The meeting with the school I want the twins to attend did not go well. They don’t like that I put the school in Paris in their place for what happened with Aizen. I wasn’t just going to let it go. Aizen might be a sweet boy, but I’m not a sweet woman. And he’s baby. If I don’t stand up for them, who will?
my
Getting to know Sullivan and the staff has been amazing. There is no place like home. I missed being around other Americans. These people love what they do and if they have a problem with the way I look or speak, they know to do it behind my back. I don’t have to worry about hiding my projects or sketches. Sabbatoge was one of the biggest concerns I had back in Paris along with design napping.
“Your two thirty is here,” Cev informs me and hands me my tablet.
“What is this about?”
“They didn’t say,” he shrugs.
“Okay,” I nod.
“Okay,” he squeezes my shoulder. It’s an odd gesture. Almost like he’s nervous.
I’m two minutes late. It’s not something I like doing, but it took longer to get the twins settled than I expected. We walk into my newly decorated office to see a man and a woman looking at the pictures of the twins and some of the awards and my diplomas.
“I am so sorry I am late,” I greet them. The two of them turn around to face me and a scream rips out of my throat. I take my hand back and hug my tablet for dear life.
“Miss Altaha?” Cev glares at me.
“Get out, Cev,” I rush out.
“Are you okay?”
“Mhm,” I nod. He excuses himself leaving the three of us here. “Mr. Blake, what are your doing here?”
“Mr. Blake?” he laughs and then glances at the woman next to him who glares back at him. He clears his throat and gets serious. “I think we both know why I’m here,” he glances back at the wall with all the pictures of my kids. I clear my throat keeping my composure. “Phoebe,”
“I don’t think we do,” I shake my head..
“Mom, can you give us a moment?” he asks the woman. She looks me over and nods. Mom? He called his Mom on me?
“I’ll be right outside, mijo,” she pats his shoulder and steps out of my office.
“What are you doing here?” I ask again. “You called your Mom? What are you five?”
“I’ve been doing some research since we ran into each other at the airport,” fuck my
1/3
life. “And I think you owe me an explanation, Phoebe Altaha,
“About what? I don’t owe you anything,”
“About our kids,” he tucks his hands into the pockets of his slacks. The ringing in my ears blinds me for a moment and I just stare back at him not knowing what to do. Deny it, Phoebe. Tell him they’re not his.
“What?” Lask. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,”
“Don’t you?”
He goes over to the wall and takes the picture of the twins from their first day of school off the wall. He holds it up to his face and the similarities are uncanny. I never wanted to think of it. I even stopped listening to his music hoping it would somehow drown out the guilt I feel for lying. I take the frame from him and put it back.
“Mr. Blake, I don’t know what it is you’ve convinced yourself of, but I assure you. My children have nothing to do with you,”
”
“Angel, we do this the easy way or we can do this the hard way,” he shakes his head. You do not want to upset me. I am not going to take your word for it. Tell me the truth,”
“I don’t know what it is you want me to tell you, I step away from him but he follows. I back away from him until my ass hits my desk. I lean back and away from him as he gets too close.
“Are they mine?” he whispers in my ear.
“No,” I shake my head, but I can’t bring myself to look at him. He tucks his index finger under my chin and turns my head to look at him.
“I don’t believe you, Phoebe,” he says softly. “See, I don’t believe you’ve let anyone touch you since then,” he looks down over my body. “I may not know that much about you, sweetheart, but I knew what I had in my hands the moment you let me in. So, I’m going to ask you again and I need you to tell me the truth this time. Are they mine, Angel?”
“No,” I repeat.
He sighs and pulls away. I don’t hesitate, I move putting the desk between us. He goes over to the door and taps it. The woman comes in dressed elegantly in one of my business casual designs from my newest collection. That’s kind of flattering and terrifying because it tells me that they already know exactly who I am. Although, showing up at my new job is also a big red flag.
“Hijo?” she says without taking her eyes off me.
“She’s all yours,” he says and Jeaves. I let out a heavy sigh of relief.
“Buenas tardes,” she greets me.
“Hello,” I say skeptically.
“My name is Maria Blake. I am Knightly Blake’s attorney and mother,” she introduces.
herself. I groan and turn away from her. Of course, she’s a fucking lawyer. Someone has to clean up after him. “Listen. You look like a good woman. You have so much going on for you, by the pictures and the press coverage, you look like you’re an amazing mother yourself.
“Knightly has told me what happened between the two of you. Believe it or not, I once stood where you are. My ex–husband, Knight’s biological father wasn’t a good man. Of course, I didn’t know that until it was too late.
“He made my life hell and that’s the last thing I want for you or your beautiful kids. Because they are beautiful. I know. That little boy looks just like my son, Miss Altaha. He’s not here anymore. I’d like us to be honest with one another. Are they or they not my son’s kids?
Subscribe
