I dropped my eyes to my hands, twirling my thumbs around each other.
“I signed the petition before I left.” I shrugged.
“Under duress, but go ahead,” she encouraged.
“W-what do you mean? Under duress?”
“What I mean is you didn’t sign freely. You were pressured. You had to have been in emotional turmoil at the time. You were threatened with losing your home, stability, and any means to care for your child. Consent under duress can be challenged. The courts take that very seriously.”
“So, basically what you’re saying is it doesn’t count?”
“Precisely.” She smiled. “I am a divorce attorney, but unfortunately, I can’t help you with this. Not only is it a conflict of interest, but I can’t practice here in Atlyn City. However, I do have plenty of connections here— even some colleagues thatspecialize in family law that involves coercion and inequitable settlements. One of them would be happy to take on your case.”
“I-I don’t have the money right now to pay them, but?—”
She gently touched my hand to stop me. “This isn’t about money, Leila. This is about getting you and your child what you both deserve. I haven’t seen my brother smile this much in a very long time, and I’m almost one-hundred percent sure that you and little Ava have everything to do with that.”
I nodded with a smile thinking about Kiyan and that dangerously sexy smile that he was always wearing, but the thought of a battle in court had it fading quickly.
“I don’t want a war,” I said softly referring to long, drawn out court appearances.
“If he’s smart—there won’t be one. He can handle this quickly and amicably by refiling and agreeing to your reasonable terms.”
“And if he doesn’t?”
“Thenwe go to war and let the courts see exactly how this ridiculous agreement came about.” She smiled. “We’ve got you and Ava’s back. We’re going to make that bastard pay for what he did to you.”
My smile returned and I jumped up to hug her. Every single member of this family had been a blessing to me and Ava, and honestly, Aldrick tossing us out had too because if he didn’t I would never have crossed paths with these angels that God had walking on earth.
Chapter Twelve
“Hey,” Leila smiled up at me when she answered her door.
“I have to go in the office for a few hours, but…” I reached for her hand. “If you don’t have plans later…” I paused briefly, swallowing hard. For whatever reason, Leila always had me a bit jealous, or it could have been my fear of rejection. Either way I froze up every time I was in her presence briefly. “Maybe I can take you out to dinner tonight.”
She shifted her weight and smirked. “Maybe?”
“For sure,” I smiled. “I definitely want to take you out, but your time is in high demand these days, so if you don’t have plans…”
“I don’t,” she beamed, stepping forward and tossing her soft arms around my shoulders, allowing a waft of her sweet scent to sweep into my nose. “And even if I did, I’d cancel them in a heartbeat for you.”
Without being able to help it, I leaned down to kiss her lips. Though it was the second time, I got the same feels and emotions I did the first time I was blessed enough to feel her lips against mine.
I’ll be home in about four or five hours,” I said once I pulled back. “We can do an early dinner since the kids want to do a theater night.”
“I think that was more of your mom and Aunt Pat’s decision than it was the kids, but that’s fine with me.”
“You might be right,” I replied and we shared a laugh. “I just want some time with just us before it gets chaotic.”
My mother had already started her countdown for Christmas since we were only a week away. My brother was flying in later this afternoon since he’d changed his mind about flying with my sister due to a scheduling conflict, so it was now the start of all the festivities.
After delivering one final kiss to Leila’s lips, I headed out. The rest of my family was in the den with the kids, and Mel was already at the university waiting on me, so after bidding them a farewell I was in my car and calling my cousin to let her know I was on the way.
We were scheduled to officially meet with the contractors at the president’s house so they could get started on the renovations that I’d signed off on. I was also having a quick meeting with the recruiting agency about the potential new president.
Mel let me know they were already at the house waiting, so I went there first. She was waiting on the porch for me while the contractors were off to the side huddled up talking.
“Here you go.” She handed me a stainless steel mug that hadDr. Wardengraved on it. “You’re later than usual.”
