Chapter 38
Miles
“Assault! Who did you assault?”
“Renae Rich. I’ll tell you about it later. They’re making me hang up. Help me, Miles!”
“Hello? Stella?” I shouted. “Fuck!” I jumped out of bed and grabbed my aching balls.
Scrolling through my phone, I dialed Elijah Wolfe.
“Elijah Wolfe,” he answered.
“Elijah, it’s Miles Bradshaw.”
“Hey, Miles. How are you?”
“I wish I could tell you I was good, but my wife’s been arrested.”
“Arrested? For what?”
“Assault.”
“Which precinct did they take her to?”
“The 24th precinct.”
“I’m on my way.”
“Thanks, Elijah. I’ll meet you there.”
I threw on a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt. I couldn’t believe this. What on earth would possess my wife to assault Renae Rich? I hailed a cab to the 24th precinct.
“May I help you?”
“I’m Miles Bradshaw. My wife is being held here.”
“Her name?”
“Stella Bradshaw.”
“Her attorney is with her now. You may have a seat over there.”
“Thank you.”
I pulled out my phone and called Levi. Laurel answered his phone.
“Hey, Miles.”
“Laurel, where’s Levi?”
“He’s in the shower. What’s wrong?”
“Stella’s been arrested.”
“What? For what?”
“Apparently, she assaulted Renae Rich.”
“It’s about time somebody did. Good for her. I’ll have Levi call you when he gets out.”
“Okay. Thanks.” I dialed Sean.
“Miles, what’s up?”
“Where are you?”
“I’m waiting at the park for Melissa and the kids. Why?”
Get them and drive them home.
“What about Stella?”
“What do you mean? She’s in jail, Sean.”
“In jail! What are you talking about? Melissa told me that Stella decided to get her makeup done, and it was going to be a couple of hours and just to have me drive her and the kids to the park.”
“Well, she lied. She assaulted Renae Rich.”
“Ha.” He chuckled.
“Sean, it’s not funny.”
“Actually, Miles, it is, and you know it. I see them. I’ll take them home now and then come get you.”
“Thanks. But I’m not leaving without my wife.”
“Miles,” Elijah said, walking toward me.
“Elijah, how is she?”
“She’s okay. I was able to get an emergency bond hearing so we could get her the hell out of there. We need to be at the courthouse in an hour. In the meantime, I’ll head back to my office and prepare.”
“Did she really assault her?” I asked.
“Yes, and she proudly admits it. The officer said she broke Mrs. Rich’s nose and bruised her eye. I guess she punched her right across the face.” He smirked.
“Great. Just great.” I sighed.
Sean picked me up, and we headed to the courthouse.
“Miles, I spoke with Melissa. She told me what happened.”
“And?”
“Mrs. Rich started it by calling Stella Florida trash, and then she said she only married you for your money and fabricated some story about being pregnant the first time around. I think the word gold-digger was thrown in there. Then she said something about how Benjamin probably isn’t even yours.”
“That stupid bitch. This is all my fault.”
“How?” Sean asked.
“Because nobody knows the real story about us. She’s getting blamed for something I initiated and did.”
“Miles, it’s nobody’s fault but Renae Rich’s.”
We walked into the courtroom and took a seat. When I turned around, I saw Stella and Elijah walk in.
“Sweetheart.”
“I’m sorry, Miles.” She twisted her face. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Mr. Wolfe, how does your client plead?”
“Not guilty, your honor,” Elijah said.
“Your honor,” the Assistant District Attorney spoke. “There are several witnesses who saw Mrs. Bradshaw assault Mrs. Rich in the middle of Saks Fifth Avenue.”
“Your honor, my client was provoked.”
“Oh, come on, Elijah. It doesn’t matter,” the ADA said.
“Your honor, my client is an upstanding citizen, married to Miles Bradshaw, CEO of Bradshaw Capital. She has no priors and has never had a parking ticket. She has two small children at home, one of whom is three months old. She has a master’s in child psychology and is pursuing her doctorate. A woman like her does not go around assaulting people unless they are provoked into doing so. Mrs. Rich publicly humiliated my client and harassed her as she was shopping with her nanny and two children. Therefore, we will be bringing a lawsuit against Mrs. Renae Rich for defamation of character and harassment.”
“Bail is set at twenty-five hundred dollars cash. You will be notified with a trial date.”
“Thank you, your honor.”
The officers took Stella away and I looked at Elijah.
“As soon as you pay the bond, they’ll process her release, and she can go home. I would suggest trying to get Mrs. Rich to drop the assault charges. If you need help, let me know. If she won’t, we’ll use any means necessary to tear that woman apart.”
“Thanks, Elijah.” I shook his hand.
I paid the bail and waited for Stella to be released. The moment the door opened and I saw her, I jumped up and hugged her.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I want to go home,” she said.
“Let’s go.” I hooked my arm around her, and we left the building.
The moment we arrived home, Stella ran to the kids and hugged them.
“Melissa, I’m so sorry,” she said.
“Don’t be, Stella. You were the absolute best, and that bitch deserved it. You are truly my hero. I recorded her on my phone.”
“You did?” I asked.
“Yeah. Just in case we needed it for something. But I stopped recording right before you punched her because I saw the look on your face when she said that Ben probably wasn’t his child.”
“Not my finest moment. Okay, it was. Who am I kidding?” Stella smiled.
I let out a sigh. “Sweetheart, I know she deserved it, but you were booked and thrown in jail.”
“It wasn’t that bad. I met a nice girl there. She was a prostitute but so sweet.”
“Melissa, keep an eye on the kids while we go upstairs. Also, can you send me that recording?”
“Yeah. I’ll send it now.” She pulled out her phone.
“Come on, my little felon.” I hooked my arm around Stella. “Let’s go draw you a hot bath.”
“And a glass of wine?” Her brow arched.
“And a glass of wine.” I smiled.
* * *
Stella
“It’s all my fault, Stella,” Miles said as he sat on the edge of the tub and listened to the recording.
“How is this your fault? I’m the one who punched that bitch and broke her botched-up nose.”
“Because nobody knows why we got married the first time. We’re just letting everyone go around thinking that you trapped me with a fake pregnancy and I married you out of obligation.”
“Since when does Miles Bradshaw care what other people think?” My brows furrowed.
“I don’t. But when it comes to my wife, I do. Everything she spewed was a total lie.”
“I know. She called me Florida trash. Can you believe that?”
“Well, I don’t blame you one bit for punching her. I would have done a lot more damage than just a broken nose.”
I started laughing.
“What’s so funny?” Miles asked.
“You should have seen her lying there in the rack of clothes.” I continued laughing. “And the look on her face. Shit, Miles. I’m in so much trouble. What are the kids going to say when they grow up and find out their mother is a felon?”
“Aw, sweetheart. They’ll know you to be a strong independent woman who doesn’t take shit from anyone. And you’re not a felon. I will get Jerome to get that bitch wife of his to drop the charges.”
“And how are you going to do that?”
He set his phone down and began rubbing my shoulders.
“The social elite women in New York have their secrets, and we rich men have our secrets amongst each other.
“Do you really think you can get him to get Renae to drop the charges?” I pouted.
“If he doesn’t, Renae Rich will be sorry she ever spoke a word to you.” He leaned over and kissed the top of my head.
“Oh my God, Miles. How are your balls? You were supposed to be resting all day.”
“Sore, but I’ll survive.” He smiled.
I climbed out of the tub, and Miles wrapped a large soft towel around my body and pulled me into him.
“Miles?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“I want you to get in bed and relax. I’ll get the ice packs and deal with the children.” I broke our embrace.
“Stella, I’m?—”
“Now, mister!” I pointed toward the bedroom. “Go.”
I slipped on my robe while Miles climbed on the bed. Walking downstairs, Melissa played with Ben while Brayden sat peacefully in his swing.
“Thank you for staying, Melissa.” I walked over and sat next to her.
“You don’t have to thank me, Stella. I’m more than happy to stay and help with the children whenever you need me. You and Miles are like family to me.”
“And you’re like family to us, too.” I smiled.
Melissa put Ben to bed for the night and went home. After grabbing an ice pack and Brayden, I went upstairs.
“Here’s your ice pack, babe.”
Climbing on the other side of the bed, Brayden latched onto my breast and began feeding.
“Did you ever think you’d be married to a criminal?” I glanced at Miles as he scrolled on his phone.
He chuckled. “You’re not a criminal, sweetheart.”
“Oh boy. I’m sure I’m the talk of Manhattan.” I sighed.
“Let them talk. This is probably the most exciting gossip they’ve had in a long time.” He winked.