“Yes.”
“Then I don’t see a problem.”
“The problem is, I don’t want it. I am who I am, and I won’t change for anyone.”
“You are aware I could throw money at this and go to court and have your rights taken from you. Your record would certainly go against you.”
“You could, yeah, but it wouldn’t stop me. I won’t threaten you, Mr. Haynes, but I’ll do what I must to see my kid.”
Dad sighs. “Yes, I’m starting to see that.”
The rest of dinner is fraught and when Darius pushes out of his chair once Catherine has taken our plates away, I see the light at the end of this disastrous dinner.
“It was nice to meet you, Mr. Haynes.” My dad nods and doesn’t return the sentiment. Darius looks to me, and says, “Will you walk me out, Amelia.”
I will if it means he leaves. I don’t look at my dad on our way out and I swing the front door open with too much gust. He must see I can’t wait for him to go.
“I meant everything I said to your dad, you can rely on me.”
“We’ll see.”
He moves closer and I take a step back.
“No we’ll see. I get you don’t like me much anymore, but we’re in this together, in each other’s lives for at least the next eighteen years. You need to get used to me being around.”
“It’s always on your terms, isn’t it,” I spit out, losing the last thread of patience I have.
“They’re the ones that count.”
“You know what, you should’ve just taken my father’s money. You have one chance. The second you don’t show, or you mess up, I’ll have my father’s lawyer’s take your rights and you’ll never see the baby again. I promise you that.”
His laughter carries through the foyer, leaving me unsettled.
“It isn’t funny.”
“Yeah.” He snorts. “It is.” Running the back of his knuckles down my cheek, he adds, “There isn’t anywhere you can go that I won’t find. There isn’t anyone who can tell me what to do. Facefacts, we’re in this together and there’s not a fucking thing you can do about it.”
He leans in and takes me back by placing a kiss on my forehead.
“If we were still together, you wouldn’t be like this. Don’t act like it now just because I didn’t want you anymore.”
“Please leave.”
“I’m going. I’ll see you next week. Anything happens in the meantime, let me know. You don’t, and I won’t be happy.”
I slam the door harder than necessary the second he steps outside and turn to find my father stood in the hall.
“He’s delightful.”
“He’s…”
What is he? He had a point. I thought he was different when he was showing me attention. What do I possibly have to say to my dad to describe Darius Madden?
“Do you think he’ll keep his word?” he asks.
“I think he’ll show his true colors in time, once he does, I’ll act accordingly.”
“Say the word, Amelia, and I’ll take this to court and have him removed from your life permanently.”
