Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 184(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 184(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Jin chugs down more wine. “No one has to suffer that way.”
Mei scoffs. “Mom, you suffered. Penny suffered. You’re with Owen, playing pretend, but you want to be with Christopher. Who cares about what people say or think?”
Unfortunately, Mei is being naïve, because it’s not that simple. It’s a gray area. I get it.
“I’m barely holding onto my clinic and patients as we speak,” Jin admits shakily. “Add in a public scandal, and I’ll lose it all.”
Mei releases my hand and walks over to her mother. She kneels down beside her and puts her head in her mother’s lap. Jin’s eyes widen as she shoots me a panicked look. I arch an eyebrow, indicating she knows what to do. Awkwardly, Jin pats Mei’s head.
“Mom, if keeping your practice means you’re unhappy and living a lie, is it even worth it?” Mei looks up at Jin. “The truth will set you free.”
Jin blinks back tears but one sneaks free, racing down her cheek. “You’ve always been too smart and good. I’ve never deserved you.”
Mei starts to cry as she crawls into her icy mother’s lap. “I never needed you to deserve me, Mom. I just needed you.”
As if she sheds a shell of ice, Jin hugs Mei to her and sobs loudly. I quietly slip out of the living room to give them their space. Jin’s secrets are in the light and aren’t as bad as she thought. Maybe she can move past the stress of it and actually have a relationship with her oldest daughter before it’s too late.
And while this answers so much, I’m still left wondering why that guy is following us. My thoughts direct me back to Leah each time. Somehow, she must’ve figured out that Christopher is Penny’s father and Jin’s secret lover. She’s been stacking up the evidence to take me down in court.
I make a quick call to Dane, my attorney.
I’ll be damned if I let Leah destroy my life again.
I’m done letting her get away with this shit.
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.