CHAPTER TWENTY
COURTNEY
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Zander never asked why Adam hit me, and I’m glad. I’m surprised, but I think the shock was enough for him.
Watching him respond to the photos was humiliating, but in some ways, finally sharing them with someone felt like a weight had lifted off me.
In the past, I’ve nearly told Kylie, but she’d have pieced it all together. She knew we were trying to have a child, and talking about being infertile was just not something I wanted to do.
Facing it myself was lonely and difficult.
Zander leaped straight to revenge. I wasn’t unhappy. It felt nice to have someone in my corner. To know that very soon I’d have my share of the settlement and could move on with life.
To never see or speak to the man I thought would love and respect me forever. The one who ended up treating me like a walking womb.
“You two better give me some grandchildren soon,” Valerie Blackmore would say regularly.
“It’s what a man does,” Roger, his father, added one night.
I noticed Adam flinch and glare at me as if I was the cause of their disappointment. Three months later, he hurt me, and I suspect now it was that comment which pushed Adam over the edge.
What will I do once this is over?
I want to be in love again one day; to have a family, but I know it’s not possible. And what man wants an infertile wife? I suppose not everyone wants children.
I stride through the lobby of Sterling Obsidian & Partners. Zander was much gentler last night. He stayed all weekend and refused to leave me after I showed him the photos. Sex with him is amazing either way, but I missed the rough side of him.
Rough, in a good way.
“You don’t need to treat me with kid gloves. I’m fine, Zander,” I told him.
“I need to do this,” he replied, entering me from behind, caressing me as he rhythmically drove inside me. His kisses covered my neck, shoulders, and along my arm. It felt too intimate for what we’d wordlessly promised to one another.
Just one weekend.
On top of that first night.
Nothing more.
Then he’d left in the early hours of Sunday morning, as I promised to get the Plan B pill once again. However, with the nerves of
Wednesday’s meeting with Adam looming, I’d forgotten.
Today was the day.
Kathy leads me into his office, and I say hello to Sean, Jason, and Zander.
His vibrant eyes meet mine.
“Adam and the Vanguard team will be here in a moment,” he tells me.
“We’ll go set up and greet them,” Sean says and leaves with Jason.
“You okay?” Zander asks, circling his desk.
“Nervous.” I smile, pulling my handbag up onto my shoulder more. “But ready to get this over with.”
“Nerves are healthy.” Zander stands too close, sliding his hands into his pockets with his back to the door. “We have a plan, so let us do the talking, and if you want to take a break, just say so.”
“Okay.” I nod, wishing he wasn’t wearing my favorite aftershave, which reminds me of him kissing along my neck.
“Court,” he rasps. “Please do not look at me like that, or I’ll lose my focus.”
I smirk, my lashes fluttering.
He shakes his head, a dimpled smile appearing. “Fuck you are gorgeous. Oh, I meant to ask, did you take Plan B?”
Oh shit.
Zander knows immediately as my face falls because his follows.
“Court. Jesus Christ.”
“I forgot. I’m sorry,” I feel my cheeks burn with shame. “Honestly, I meant to.”
Anger and concern line his face, but before I can reassure him it’s okay, Kathy announces the arrival of my husband.
“They’re ready for you,” Kathy announces from the doorway, and I see the question on her face.
I step away.
Zander glares at me.
I want to tell him that I can’t get pregnant. I had my period after the first time and...
I can’t.
“It’s okay. Trust me,” I whisper as Kathy leaves.
Zander doesn’t relax, and his shoulders remain tense as he continues to glare. After what feels like a very long moment, he angrily grabs the pile of files off his desk.
Looking me dead in the eye, he almost hisses as he replies, “No, that’s not something I can do.”
With a wave of his hand, he indicates the door.
Oh God.
He thinks I purposely forgot.