Chapter 14
Mei
Two months later…
His ex-wife is terrifying. It’s hard to believe Owen not only put up with a woman like her, but also had three children with her. She reminds me of a panther, crouched low and ready to pounce. Evil glimmers in her eyes as she stares down my man.
That’s right. Mine.
I boldly hold Owen’s hand in the courtroom, even as Leah not-so-discreetly takes a photo of us. Her smug smirk annoys me, but I don’t let it get to me.
Owen and his lawyer exchange a few quiet words and then everyone zips up once the judge arrives. He’s an older man with kind eyes but a stern expression. Judge Rowe. Owen told me he’s a friend of Dane, his attorney, so I hope that works in our favor.
Penny giggles loudly and Mom pulls her hand out of Christopher’s to playfully press a finger to her lips. This has Penny turning more silly. She only settles when Christopher tugs her into his lap to let her play with his phone.
I’m on edge. This hearing has the potential to wreak havoc in Owen’s life. Leah has been steadily capturing evidence against him to show what an “unstable” parent he is.
But we’ve been busy too. Each time that silver sedan is nearby, we automatically call the police. We’ve filed report after report for harassment and stalking. I even have a protective order against the man that requires he stay a certain amount of feet away from me at all times.
“Your Honor,” Dane says once Judge Rowe nods his way. “Before we get started today, my client would like to speak.”
I watch for Leah’s reaction. Her eyes narrow and she shakes her head as if this annoys her.
“Go ahead,” Judge Rowe says.
Owen clears his throat and stands to address the judge. “Sir, I know we’re here because my ex-wife wants to revisit the custody agreement again and my mental health is in question.”
Judge Rowe nods, expression neutral. From the corner of my eye, Leah bristles, clearly irritated that Owen has stolen the thunder from her.
From what Owen tells me, Rhett knows how his mother is, but the other two don’t see this side of her.
He also doesn’t want that for them hence why none of their kids are present today.
I think it’s admirable of him to consider them and their relationship with her.
“I’m going to be honest and up front with you,” Owen says to Judge Rowe. “My stress levels were high a few months ago. Heading to court to battle for my kids and prove myself has been difficult. I blame that state of mind for jumping foolishly into another loveless marriage.”
The judge cuts his eyes over to my mom and then back to Owen. Leah clears her throat loudly, but the judge ignores her, so Owen continues.
“I liked Jin and knew I could provide a stable environment for her and her family. Unfortunately, since it was friends getting married, I was blindsided when I fell in love with her daughter.”
I stiffen, feeling Leah’s furious gaze on me. I meet the stare of the judge and offer a shy smile.
“As it turns out, Jin still loved the father of her child, Christopher, and the whole thing got a bit messy,” Owen says, though he doesn’t sound upset at all. “Me and Jin have already filed for divorce. She’s since moved in with Christopher and his mother so they can spend more time with Penny.”
I cut my eyes over to Leah. Her face is red and she’s vibrating with rage. The attorney beside her slumps his shoulders as if he’s dreading the reaming he’ll get from her later.
All their “shock and awe” surprises are being admitted to the judge by Owen. She will get none of the glory.
“Objection!” Leah barks out when her attorney says nothing.
Judge Rowe grunts and turns to glare at her. “You’ll have your turn to speak, ma’am. He’s not done.”
With a huff of frustration, she crosses her arms over her chest, and mutters something to her attorney under her breath. Judge Rowe motions for Owen to continue.
“Despite these things happening in my home,” Owen says firmly, “my children are happy, healthy, and well-loved. They’ve developed relationships with Penny, Mei, and Jin. Now that Jin’s moved out, Addison has her own room again. Everyone is doing well aside from one thing.”
Judge Rowe thumps a stack of papers. “Does it have anything to do with all these police reports?”
Owen nods. “We’re being harassed and stalked to the point it’s upsetting my children.
They can’t go anywhere without Ronald Greene snapping pictures of them.
It’s excessive and out of line, Your Honor.
Furthermore, the man carries a gun—of which I’ve stared down the barrel of—and they don’t feel safe with him lurking around. ”
They follow me, Owen, and Mom the most, but Owen is strategic in mentioning the kids they share.
“Addison and Cason have also written their own letters to you, which you should have there. They both have expressed their wishes to keep the custody agreement as is, splitting their time between both parents.” Owen turns and looks at Leah.
“All this drama will only put a wedge between the kids and us.”
Again, he’s smart with his words. By not putting it all on Leah, it feels more logical and emotionless.
“I would like,” Owen says to Judge Rowe, “for us all to move on. This is a waste of time and money. Thank you for hearing me out.”
He sits down and Leah bursts to her feet.
“My turn,” she says icily. “He’s playing the victim. Isn’t it obvious?”
I stiffen, hating how she speaks about him. Mom gently pats my hand, and it brings comfort to me. We all discussed Leah’s potential reactions, and she’s playing right into it as predicted. Still, it hurts me hearing her try and hurt him.
“Is that a rhetorical question?” Judge Rowe asks. “Because if it’s not, and I’m supposed to answer, I don’t think you’re going to like what I’m going to say.”
She scoffs and waves a manicured hand our way. “He’s basically a pedophile!”
Owen’s flinch is so small, you’d miss it if you weren’t watching, which I was.
“He groomed her,” Leah rushes out. “It’s sick. I don’t want my little girl around that!”
Judge Rowe holds up a hand to Leah and looks directly at my mother. “How old was your daughter when you introduced him to Mr. Monahan?”
“Eighteen, Your Honor,” Mom says firmly. “These are baseless claims, and quite frankly, defamatory.”
He nods and turns back to meet Leah’s gaze. “I’ve seen enough here.”
“Sir,” Leah’s attorney finally pipes up. “My client is worried that her ex-husband’s instability will impact their children and—”
“Your client is the problem,” Judge Rowe barks out.
“Do you hear that, ma’am? You’re creating problems that don’t exist. I, for one, won’t stand for it.
The existing custody agreement remains as is.
” He narrows his eyes at her. “However, if we show up in court for more of these witch hunts, I’ll be forced to examine your ability to provide a stable, safe environment for your children.
You are to call off the private investigator immediately.
There’s enough here to make a case for stalking and harassment and I know you don’t want this all turned around on you. ”
Leah gapes at him. “Your Honor, I, uh…”
He waits for her to continue but her lips snap shut. With a nod, he says to her, “Thank you. It’s in your best interest to stop this obsession and move on with your life. Mr. Monahan is trying to move on with his. Are we clear?”
The courtroom is silent for what feels like an eternity.
“I understand, sir,” she says in defeat.
“With that,” Judge Rowe murmurs, “consider this resolved.”
Finally. I hope that’s the end of it.
Smoke & Sugar is busy with their lunchtime crowd, but we secured a table big enough for everyone.
Christopher picked up Carol along the way and Owen’s kids met us here.
It’s strange to think that several months ago, I was so lonely I couldn’t stand it.
Now, my relationship with Mom is improving more and more each day and I have two more families to join mine.
Maybe Marrying Owen was the best thing Mom ever could have done for us because it brought me to him and forced her to go after her own happiness.
Owen has my chair close to his and drapes a possessive arm around the back of it.
I lean into him, inhaling his familiar, comforting scent.
Addison babbles to Penny about some show they’re going to watch later.
Cason regales Carol with his investigative journalism YouTube page while Mom and Christopher listen with interest. Rhett sulks and rapid-fire texts on his phone. I’m not sure what that’s all about.
“Everything okay with Rhett?” I ask Owen softly.
“He’s struggling with something,” he murmurs. “I’ve been trying to get it out of him, but I think he’s keeping things from me for my own stress levels. I think I’m just going to have to get him alone and force it out of him.”
Guilt niggles at me. When Owen’s not at work and I’m not in class, we spend every waking moment together. I hope it’s not hurting his relationship with his oldest son.
Rhett catches me staring at him and he smirks.
It has relief flooding through me. I’m grateful for Rhett’s friendship.
Of all Owen’s kids, I have the most in common with Rhett.
He has good taste in music, and he got me obsessed with watching soccer.
I’ve even gone to the movies and shopping with him and his girlfriend a few times when Owen had to work.
Now that I’m not babysitting Penny so much in the evenings, I’m free to have friends and hang out.
I thought I’d be sad, but it’s been nice.
I playfully stick my tongue out at Rhett which causes him to smile.
“Maybe if I can’t get it out of him,” Owen says, “you can. I know you guys have coffee time after I head to work in the mornings before class.”
“I’ll try.” And I will. This is my family now.
Soon, our meals are brought out, and we celebrate with good food and even better company.
I wake with a start, sensing Owen getting out of bed. I’m exhausted, but his safety is my priority. I slip out of bed and trail after him. He moves quickly and races down the stairs. My heartbeat hammers in my chest, fully waking me by the time I reach the bottom.
In the past when he sleepwalked—which has been fewer than a handful of times in the past couple of months—he went straight to the backyard. This time, he heads for the living room. Something soft under my foot has me halting.
A rose petal.
No, a trail of them leading toward the fireplace.
There, standing in front of the fire with more roses than I’ve ever seen in one place, is Owen, grinning and wide awake.
“What is this?” I say, confused at the romantic gesture.
He hooks a finger and motions for me to come to him. In only his black boxers, all his golden muscles are on full display. Heat burns through me that has nothing to do with the fire.
“I need to ask you a question, angel.”
When he kneels, my breath catches in my throat. Then, he takes my hand and kisses the back of it.
“You were a blast of sunshine in my heart the second I laid eyes on you. I knew, right then, you were mine. It didn’t make sense and it was insanely stupid, but I knew.” He flashes me a handsome grin that melts me to my core. “Will you marry me, Mei?”
“When?”
He produces a pretty diamond engagement ring from his other hand and holds it up for me to see. “As soon as next week. The divorce from Jin should be finalized by then. Please say yes, beautiful. I’ve never wanted anyone more in my life than I want you. I love you, angel.”
“I want you too. Yes, Owen. I’ll marry you.”
I grin as he slides the ring onto my finger. It’s beautiful and perfect. Like him.
He rises to his feet and hauls me to his chest. I tilt my head up to receive what I know will be a sweet kiss. And he doesn’t disappoint. Owen goes above and beyond to make me feel special and loved.
And soon, I’ll no longer be his wife’s daughter.
I’ll be his wife.
Just his.
Always.