Her shoulders sagged. “Maya and I were out together. I was driving. She said she needed to meet a friend, that he had something that she needed. I swear I didn’t know…”
“What?”
“She was buying drugs, and her dealer turned out to be an undercover cop. Because I was driving her, I was busted too. She even tried to tell them I wasn’t involved, but it was during the mayoral election. He was running on being tough on drugs, and they wanted to make examples of us.”
Thomas chuckled. “Even if it’s unsealed, I think you’ll be okay.”
She pushed off the couch. “Yeah, but anything that tips the scales in favor of that creep… is a tip too far.”
He shrugged. “So, tip it back. Colter got married. Just get married.”
I shook my head. “Thomas, that’s not—” I started, but Cora cut me off.
“Absolutely not.” She stood up abruptly, pacing toward the window. “A fake marriage? That’s exactly the kind of thing that could backfire spectacularly.”
“And it could work.” He looked from me to Cora. “You need a stable home. Jason is a known member of the business community in Chicago. He’s successful. He has a fantastic penthouse with plenty of room for a baby. It couldn’t be more perfect.”
“Except marriage is supposed to be sacred. Not a tool.” Cora looked at me.
I rubbed my face with my hands. This whole situation seemed to be blowing up. Colter married. A judge change. Cora’s juvenile record. The last thing we needed to add to the already full plate was a marriage. “I appreciate the suggestion, but we’ll find another way. I’m sure Rex has dealt with this enough times that he’ll know what to do.”
Thomas held up his hands, walking backwards. “Okay, I was just trying to help.” He took the steps two at a time, leaving Cora and me alone.
She put one hand on her hip and, with the other hand, she palmed her forehead. “I didn’t mean that to sound?—”
“It’s okay.” I wasn’t marriage material, and I knew that.
“No,” she said and moved towards me. “You are a great guy. A sweet man. You’ve been amazing to me. You don’t want to be saddled with me and a baby.”
I closed the remaining distance. Saddled? I should be so lucky. “I’m not a great guy, and you deserve better than me. Someone worthy of you and the right to be called dad. That’s not me.”
Her arms circled my waist. “You’re wrong, Jason.” She set her chin on my chest and looked up.
For the briefest moment, the world quieted. In her eyes, I could see a future. A life filled with love and happiness. Family. Belonging. Her and Elias… mine.
Before I could stop myself, I took her face in my hands, drawing closer.
And just as I went to touch my lips to hers, a tiny cry sounded from upstairs.
Cora dropped her arms and stepped back. “He probably needs to be changed…”
“Right.”
She turned and took off at a jog, taking the stairs like she couldn’t get away fast enough.
Disappointment flooded my chest and settled into my stomach. It was as if the universe was reminding me that everything good would always be out of reach. A lesson I need to commit to memory and in the forefront of my mind.
I’d protect her and Elias. Take care of them. Watch over them. But I’d need to remember my place… and it wasn’t with her.
After breakfast,I’d set my tablet up on the island so we could conference with Rex. After telling him everything we’d learned the night before, he’d requested the video call so we could discuss a strategy.
Keeping to his schedule, Cora had fed Elias and put him in the swing while we went over our options with the lawyer.
Rex leaned back in his chair, the camera panning slightly to a home office cluttered with legal pads, coffee mugs, and a framed photo of his dog on the desk.
A file was in front of him and open. “I’ll file a motion opposing their request for a new judge and demand discovery on their grounds. They can’t just judge-shop because they didn’t like the outcome. I want to know exactly why they think this judge is necessary, and I’ll investigate whether there are any conflicts or improper communications.”
He paused and wrote a note. “First, I’ll challenge the recusal motion procedurally and make them prove actual bias, not just preference. Then I’ll file discovery motions to understand theirreal motivation. If they’re seeking a specific judge, I want to know why. Any hint of corruption or judge-shopping gives us ammunition.”
