Chapter 29
Cameron
Riley is Mrs. Clause.
I should have known it the first time I saw those curves. In the nurse costume on Halloween. Her spicy attitude was a dead give away. But the even bigger giveaway was that ass, swaying away from me as she marched down the hall. Not to mention her lips…
I think I always knew. But what I didn’t know was that that hot night on the rooftop was her only hot night, on a rooftop or otherwise.
Allegedly, anyways. Because at the end of the day, I never thought she would lie to me.
Especially not about something as serious as being the father of her child.
But it doesn’t add up. Every test has clarified one cold and cruel fact– I cannot have kids.
I can’t get a woman pregnant. Which can only mean two things:
I am not Noah’s bio dad.
And whoever it is, she doesn’t want him around.
Both of those facts have made my heart clench in my chest for days on end.
But the second one has had me laying awake in bed at night.
The idea of her with another man, a man who clearly saw her as a one and done, a man who wasn’t deserving of being in her presence let alone her bed, makes my skin crawl.
And it also leads me to another unsavory realization…
If she knows I can’t have kids, and she’s still claiming I am his father…it can only be for one reason–
Money.
After all, who wouldn’t want their baby daddy to be the owner of a well known hospital who is also a pediatric doctor specializing in their son’s life threatening illness?
I hate to be the guy that assumes the worst in people but right now, Riley isn’t giving me much to go on.
And problematically, my pride and dignity aren’t the only things involved anymore… my heart is involved too.
The idea of her betraying me has my heart feeling like a dart board. And the idea of taking a test that states on paper that Noah is not in fact mine is a bullseye, even if I always knew it wasn’t possible.
As I sit at my desk, tapping my fingers on the paperwork for the paternity test, I can’t bring myself to do it. I think I’ve taken enough hits recently, the last thing I need is proof of the thing that will break my heart.
My phone buzzes and I pull it out the pocket of my scrubs, swearing under my breath when I see the lawyer’s name on the screen. “Fuck. Now what?”
“Hey James,” I answer with a more friendly tone than I’m actually feeling.”
“Hey Cameron. Listen, we have to talk.”
“Did you find fine print stating that the marriage clause is about as outdated as the Old Testament and you can just give me the money, no rings attached.”
“Love the humor, brother. But I’m afraid the issue I had to address is closer to the opposite,” he says and I can tell by his tone, I’m not going to like what he’s going to say next.
“What are you talking about, James?” I ask.
“There’s been a reversal in the decision on the trust.”
“Look, I know we aren’t married yet but it’s in the works,” I say but James cuts in.
“I’m afraid marriage to Miss Underwood isn’t going to get you the money, Cameron.”
I stop, not understanding. “What are you talking about? That clause has been in the will for years. What could possibly have negated it?”
“A current lawsuit against you for fraud,” James states.
My heart falls through a trapdoor in my chest, landing hard in the pit of my stomach. “What?”
“Apparently, there are rumors that your marriage to Miss Underwood were circumstantial only to the extent of gaining the funds with plans to contractually marry Riley and then once the funds have been dispersed, quietly divorce.”
“Says who?” I snap as panic surges through my veins.
“Apparently the allegations came from your brother…” he says regretfully.
Son of a bitch.
“Listen, Cam. I want to help you. But right now, my hands are tied.”
“I’ll handle it,” I say. With that, I end the call, shove up from my seat and fly out the door. It’s time to pay my brother a little visit.
Josh is sitting at his desk when I barge through the door.
“Didn’t dad ever teach you to knock?” he asks grumpily.
“Didn’t dad ever teach you to be a decent human being?” I snap back.
It makes him smile. “I take it you talked to James?”
“And I take it you talked to everyone. What are you trying to do?”
“Show everyone what you’re up to,” he says with a smirk.
“Oh yeah? And just what exactly is it you think you know?”
Josh lets out his breath, opening up his laptop. “A lot more than you wanted me to know. But the funny thing about working in finances for a hospital is it gives you access to everyone’s accounts in the system. Including…email.”
I press my hands onto his desk and lean in, hovering over my brother. “You’ve been reading my emails?” I growl.
“Only the interesting ones,” he says, clicking through his computer screen. “Like…this one, for instance. A message between you and Riley showing a contract of marriage. Fake…marriage. Not only that, but all the stipulations, rules, and benefits of said fake marriage.”
“You’re dead,” I tell him but my brother just smiles.
“Is that a threat? Because if I were you, I wouldn’t add any more ammo to this lawsuit. Fraud and embezzlement are already pretty hefty on their own.”
My teeth grit so hard I just about bite my tongue. “What made you so heartless?”
“The same thing that made you so careless. At least what I’m doing has the power to save this hospital,” he answers calmly, though his eyes are brimmed with venom.
“It also has the power to end a relationship between brothers. Forever,” I say, making my way to the door.
I’m done. But I’m not done fighting. My life may be going up in flames but I’ll be damned if I am going to just stand around and watch it burn.