Chapter 5

I arrive at the school on time, as I promised Freya I would.  As I stood on the sidewalk waiting for the doors to open and Freya’s class to file out, I checked the email Madeline sent me and smiled at the screen.  “Mommy!”  Freya’s voice calls me.  I shut my phone screen off and shove my phone in my purse as Freya comes barreling towards me.  I crouch down with open arms ready to catch her.  As soon as she crashes into me, I wrap my arms around her.

               “How was your day?”  I ask her.

               “It was okay.  We got another spelling list, and the test is Friday,” Freya explains happily.  “Oh, and Ms. Georgia says the school is doing an art show in two months that everyone is going to create art for.”

               “That’s exciting.  I cannot wait to see it, and I bet if you ask your uncles, they will fly in to attend,” I tell her as we climb into the backseat of the waiting car.

               “Did you tell Uncle Hudson what Daddy did?”

               “Not yet, baby.  I need to do a few things before I say anything to your uncles or grandfather.  If you wish to tell them what happened, you may.  I’m just angry and need to handle the adult side of the situation,” I answer truthfully. 

               “Can we call him and Uncle Gideon tomorrow?  I’m still sad and don’t think I can tell the story today,” Freya admitted with a pout.

               “Baby, you don’t need to tell anyone.  In time, I will tell the family after I get everything situated.”

               “Maybe,” Freya sighed, looking out the window.  “Mommy, do you think if I give Daddy all the money that is in my bank account, he’ll forgive me and want to be my Daddy again?”

               “Baby, you did nothing wrong, and that money is for you.  He’s the one who should ask for your forgiveness.”

               “Can I please send him a message?  I want to apologize.  His birthday is next week, and I still haven’t gotten him a present.”  I hate seeing my daughter so torn up over a grown man, but I pull out my phone, open the message app, and select Lincoln’s name before handing it to Freya.  She takes it and presses the voice recording button.  “Daddy, I am sorry I upset you.  I promise I won’t buy any more toys for the sick kids.  Please don’t be angry with me anymore.”  She releases the button and sends the message before recording another message.  “Daddy, I didn’t forget that your birthday is next week.  I’ll draw you a special picture, because I know you like those most.  Daddy, I love you.”  She sends that message, then hands my phone back to me before turning to look out the window. 

               Lincoln used to call as soon as the messages were received and listened to.  I doubt that will be the case today, but I’m not going to tell her that.  I know at bedtime if he doesn’t call, she’ll ask to check the messages to see if he sent her a reply text like he’s done a few times in the past.  My heart breaks for my little girl knowing that she’s already been replaced by a daughter of a whore in the Carter family. 

               At Anton’s house, Freya runs up to her room to change out of her school clothes before coming back downstairs.  I also change out of my work clothes into my casual house clothes.  It’s good that she’s still keeping to our routine even though she’s not in the house she grew up in.  She sits down at the table and pulls out her homework packet for the week.  “Mommy, can you help me read these words?”  She requests.  I sit with her and read the ten words to her as she diligently looks at the list.  She follows the teacher’s studying instructions to the letter and is so proud when she gets a check plus when some kids only get a check.  She tells me that spelling is hard for some kids, so she tells them some of the tricks she uses, and then the next week they get a higher grade.  She loves getting a perfect score, and when she tries her best, the family celebrates with her. 

               While she works on practicing her word list and the spelling packet, I pull out my laptop and read through the email Madeline sent me earlier.  I currently own 48% of Carter Associates, with two current shareholders in discussions about selling their shares.  Lincoln Carter is going to rue the day he chose an escort and her child over a Russo and the heir to the Russo name. 

               When the cook entered the kitchen to begin making dinner, Freya and I cleaned up our areas at the table, then went into the main room.  I sat down on the giant sofa Anton has, and watched my daughter quietly draw a picture for Lincoln’s birthday.  My heart aches for her, knowing how much his pulling away is hurting her.  She’s desperately trying to win her father back but doesn’t understand what she did to lose him in the first place.

               At five thirty, the front door opens, and Anton enters with a smile and a box of treats.  “Good evening, ladies.  I brought the desserts I promised.  I’m going to take a quick shower.  When I return, we’ll have dinner,” Anton stated as he set the box of treats on the coffee table and walked up the stairs. 

               “Mommy, Mr. Anton really did get my favorite treat,” Freya whispered in shock as she looked at the box.  “Mommy, has Mr. Anton always been this nice?”

               “Sweetheart, Anton is nice only to his family and friends.  He’s kind to others, but many are scared of him because he looks scary,” I explained.  “Because you are my daughter, he’s going to spoil you as much as your uncles do.”

               “But he’s not my uncle?”

               “No, he’s not.”

               “How come I can’t call him Uncle Anton?”

               “Because it would not be right,” I reply.  “Anton and I were going to get married when we were younger.  Before I met your daddy, but I decided I didn’t want to marry him.”

               “Would you marry him now if he asked?”  Freya pressed.

               “Not at this point, dear.  Marrying someone is complicated adult stuff.  I’m still married to your daddy until a judge says we are not married any longer.”

               “Oh, and you can’t have two husbands at the same time?”

               “No, you can’t,” I smile.  “He told you to call him Anton; that is what he wishes to be called.”

               “Okay.  What does Anton do for work?  He smelled funny,” Freya stated.

               “He runs several businesses, and some days he’s running from one to another all day long.”

               “What kind of businesses?”

               “I run the port, so anything being brought to the city by boat, they pay me to store their containers until they can pick it up to deliver, or ship it out somewhere else,” Anton answered.  “Another one is a bar, which is a fancy restaurant for only adults.  Another is selling products to other companies that may need them.  Say you have a company and have been looking for a bracelet of a specific stone and style.  If I have it, I will sell it to you.”

               “Those are very different businesses,” Freya noted.

               “Yes, they are, Princess.  Are you ready for dinner?”

               “Yes,” Freya answered, standing up.  She took my hand and pulled me into the kitchen. On the tables were three plates with salmon, asparagus, and baby potatoes with a lemon wedge.  “Wow, those look yummy.  Mummy, Anton really does know your favorite food.”

               “Yes, he does.  If I had to guess the sauce, it’s a white beurre blanc sauce as well,” I comment as we take our seats at the table.

               “Only the best for my Valerie,” Anton answers, and I shoot him a warning look.  “You are one of my oldest friends; I’m not allowed to say that?  If Hudson were here, and Freya wasn’t allergic to shellfish, we’d have a lobster fest.  Gideon’s is your grandmother’s lasagna recipe that no one can replicate, but he settles for any lasagna as long as it has meat in it.”

               “Uncle Hudson’s favorite meal is lobster?  He always said it was lamb pops like me,” Freya pouted as her eyes welled up with tears.

               “Baby, Hudson always loved lobster, but when we learned that you could not eat lobster, he stopped eating lobster,” I explained.  “When you were two, Uncle Hudson took us out to dinner, and he was excited to give you your first bite of lobster.  So excited that he made me promise no one could give you any seafood until after him.  As soon as the lobster touched your tongue, we realized something was wrong and rushed you to the hospital.  Uncle Hudson was so scared he hurt you that he vowed to never eat lobster again.”

               Freya gave a little sniffle, trying to get her tears to stop.  I smiled at her and nodded.  “You're not lying, are you, Mommy?”

               “I’d never lie to you, Freya.  There may be some adult things that I will not tell you about, but I would never lie,” I assured her. 

               “Freya, I’m sorry, Princess.  I didn’t know his favorite meal changed.  I was just recalling everyone’s favorite meal from when we were kids,” Anton said.  His voice sounded pained, as if seeing her cry was physically hurting him.  Seeing this, my stomach twisted.  The most feared man in the city is turning to putty because my six-year-old is crying, but her own father didn’t even flinch when she was crying.

               “Mommy, do you know Anton’s favorite meal?”

               “That one changed a bit.  When we were kids, his favorite meal was cheeseburgers.  As a teenager, he only wanted a perfectly cooked medium steak.  But he went to Italy for a bit as an adult, and if I recall, he favored freshly stuffed raviolis with a homemade bolognese sauce,” I recalled, looking at him with a smile.  He gave me a wink.

               “My chef is from Italy for that specific reason,” Anton answered.  “Though I still enjoy a good steak from time to time.”

               “Anton, can we have your favorite meal for dinner tomorrow?”  Freya requested.

               “It depends on what we have for ingredients, as the chef does not like going to the store more than once a week, and usually I let her choose the weekly menu.  I put in a special order for this last night knowing she was going shopping today,” Anton answered.  “I will put in the request, but it may have to wait until next week.”

               “Okay.  You are being so nice; I wanted to try what you like to eat,” Freya admitted.

               “Thank you, Princess; that is very thoughtful,” Anton said with a smile.  “Valerie, before I forget, can you please write down how Freya eats her eggs and any other special breakfast choices.  The chef will be cooking in the morning, and I want to make sure you two have breakfast before you leave.  I have an early meeting, so I may not see you in the morning, but I’ll be home a bit earlier tomorrow.”

               “I can.  Well, you’re talking about your schedule for the week.  Any chance you’ll be able to watch Freya for me on Thursday for two hours?  I have a scheduled conference with her teacher at five.  They prefer the kids not be there if possible.  Usually I’d ask the housekeeper to keep an eye on her, but well…”

               “I will be home at three on Thursday,” Anton answers.  “Freya, you’ll have to teach me your afternoon routine.”

               “Mommy, that’s Thursday.  You always help me study extra on Thursdays,” Freya pouted.

               “If you tell him what he needs to do, Anton can help you.  This is an important meeting with Miss Gates that I cannot reschedule.  I promise I’ll be home in time for bedtime, and I will go over your spelling words on the way to school as usual,” I stressed to Freya.  “Please don’t be difficult about this.  I know there’s a lot of changes happening right now, and I wish more than anything it wasn’t happening for your sake, but I’m doing what’s best for you.”

               “I know, Mommy.  I’m sorry; I’ll be good.”

               “Thank you.”  I lean over and kiss the top of her head.  “I love you.”

               “I love you, most,” Freya replied.  “Mommy, remember what you were going to say to Anton this morning about the mess.”

               “Thank you for reminding me.  Anton, I know you pay your staff well, but I taught my daughter that we can clear the table ourselves.  In the future, while we are here, I’d like you to bring your dirty dishes to the sink instead of leaving them on the table.”

               “I can do that.  I’m sorry I didn’t do that this morning,” Anton answered. 

               I nodded in satisfaction.  When we finished eating, we each brought our dirty dishes to the sink, and we returned to the parlor where Freya went back to working on the picture she was coloring for Lincoln.  She finished a picture, then starts another one with great concentration.  At bedtime, she cleaned up her coloring supplies and her pictures, then went to her room to change into her pajamas and brush her teeth before I read her a bedtime story.  “Mommy, did Daddy send you a message?”  She asked hopefully.  I pulled out my phone and looked at my message thread with Lincoln.  “Oh, he must be busy,” she said, wiping her eyes.  My heart is shattering into a million pieces now.  I can’t protect my baby from this heartache even though I took her out of his house.

               It took me longer than usual to coax her to sleep because she was heartbroken that he didn’t even bother texting her back.  He’s lucky she doesn’t know he didn’t even listen to them.  I walk back downstairs hoping I can find some liquor in this house.  Anything to cover up the pain I’m feeling.  “What’s wrong?” Anton asks as he looks up at me.  I just shake my head, not wanting to talk about everything.  I feel Anton’s arms wrap around me, and I lose all control.  “I know this is hard.  I’m here for whatever you need,” he whispers as he rubs my back.  “How can I help?”

               “Keep her heart from being broken by her father,” I sob.  “I don’t care that he cheated.  I don’t care that he’s not who I thought he was.  But she’s his baby.  How can he be so cruel?  The things he said to her.  She’s going to tell Hudson, and he’s going to ask you to kill Lincoln.  I’m begging you, Anton.  Don’t.  When she’s older, he’ll regret it, and he deserves to feel her pain.  Killing him would give him an easy way out.  Don’t touch him.”

               “I promise, I will not do anything to Lincoln Carter without your permission.”  I feel his lips press to the top of my head.  His fingers brush tears from my cheek before they tilt my chin to look at him.  His lips mold to mine before I can even register what’s happening.

               I gently push him away, feeling guilty.  “I’m sorry.  I’m not ready for that, and I’m not sure I’m interested in more than friendship from you.”

               “I understand.  I’m sorry; it’s a habit of mine.  You should call Hudson before she does and tell him what’s going on.  Make sure he knows you are handling things legally the right way.”

               “You’re right,” I nod.  I take my phone out of my pocket, unlock the screen, and select my contact list when it begins to ring.  Lincoln’s picture appears on the screen, and I glance at Anton.  He points to a closed door, silently telling me I can use his office for privacy.  I shake my head and walk back to the sofa as I answer the call.  “Hello.”

               “Valerie, where are you?  What the hell is this? Even Mrs. White is missing.”

               “Oh, you finally went home.  Did you grow tired of your new family?”  I ask as Anton sits down next to me.  I lean closer, allowing him to fully hear the conversation.

               “It’s not like that.  Aurelia’s father died before she was born, and Hannah moved back to the States for work.  They have no one else to help them,” Lincoln tried.

               “So, to help a single mother and her daughter, you berated your own daughter?”

               “Valerie, I’m not going to argue about this.  I’m tired of you allowing Freya to waste money every month.  It was cute the first time she did it, but it’s gone on every month for years.  Enough is enough!  Now tell me where you took our daughter,” Lincoln demanded.

               The whole time he was speaking, I was searching my phone for a specific image.  I found and sent it to him, and Anton had to stifle a laugh.  “I just sent you a picture; take a good look at it.  Do you remember our wedding day and who attended?”

               “What’s this picture of?”

               “Me with my eldest brother Hudson Russo and youngest brother Gideon Russo at our wedding.  You called Freya a liar because I’m an orphan.  Lincoln, both my parents are still alive and well.  Freya talks to them every Sunday, and my brothers call once a week.  Hudson calls Freya two times a week.  You’ve been so focused on your mistress that you got our backstories mixed up.  I filed for divorce today, Lincoln, and I have proof that Freya never spent a dime of your money on gifts for the sick kids beyond that one time you indulged it.”

               “I never signed divorce papers, Valerie.”

               “You did when you signed the prenup.  By the way, the accountant is working on separating our joint accounts; everything else, you can keep.  I don’t want the house or the cars.  I left my ring next to the bed on the table, and Freya left you a letter.”

               “You can’t keep my daughter from me.”

               “I would never do that.  She wants to plan something for your birthday next week, and I’ve already told her she could.  We will not be living with you anymore, but I will never deny her access to you, which is why your number is not blocked in my phone.”

               “Valerie…”

               “Lincoln, you need to earn your visitations with Freya until a judge tells me otherwise.  Start by coming to the school on Thursday for the parent-teacher conference at five,” I state.  “You broke my one rule that I made the day Freya was born.  I could care less if you are always busy with work, but do not hurt our daughter, and you single-handedly tore her heart out and stomped on it, before spitting on it by picking up another child to go shopping.  I don’t even recognize you anymore.”

               “I made a mistake.”

               “A mistake that has your six-year-old asking me for the past two days why you no longer love her.  She doesn’t understand what she did wrong for you to treat her that way.”

               “Let me talk to her, I’ll…”

               “She’s asleep.  She spent an hour crying herself to sleep because her father is too preoccupied with his new family to even acknowledge a message from Freya.  You replaced her, then tossed it in her face.”

               “I’ll take you to court for custody.”

               “Go ahead, Lincoln.  I have the CCV tape from the hospital, and my lawyer already has a copy, along with the bank records of Freya’s personal account that my brothers, parents, and I put money in specifically for the sick kid gifts.  The audio on that CCV is so crisp and clear, you can almost hear Freya’s little heart breaking with every vile word you spat at her.  Take me to court, I dare you.”  I hung up the phone before he could say anything else.

               “Call Hudson,” Anton said.  “Because if he calls me to end that asshole and tells me what was said to Freya, I’m not sure I’ll be able to contain my anger enough to keep my promise to you.”

               I close my eyes and take a deep breath as I resume looking up Hudson’s number.  “Hey sis, what’s with the late call?  Is Freya okay?”

               “She’s safe.  She’s going to call you tomorrow and tell you something.  It’s going to piss you off, but I’m begging you not to call Anton about it,” I answer before I lose my nerve.

               “What’s going on?”

               “I filed for divorce today, and Freya and I are staying with Anton.”  I took a very shaky breath.  “He replaced us, Hudson.  Anton did some digging, and it’s worse than I ever thought.  I don’t even recognize the man I married.  He replaced us with a high-end escort whose mother used to work for his family when they were kids, and he moved them in with his parents.”

               “Why is he still breathing then?”

               “Because I’m going to destroy his world, slowly and precisely.  I already own 48% of his company, and United Unlimited is in negotiations with two other shareholders who are interested in selling.  Once I have control of the shares, I’ll call a board meeting and fire him.  Then I will change the company's name.  Not to mention the financial hit he’s about to feel when my accountant is finished calculating how much of my money he spent on his replacement family.  I have CCV footage of what he did to Freya.  He’ll never get custody of her, and he’ll only be allowed supervised visitation when I’m done with him.”

               “If you need anything from me, let me know.”

               “Just reassure her when she calls tomorrow.  She’s hurting badly.  I can’t make it stop for her, and it kills me to see her cry because of him.”

               “I will.  I’ll get the whole family in the room when she calls so she only has to tell the story once.  No need to make her relive it more than that.  I’m glad you called Anton for help.  I know he’ll keep you ladies safe,” Hudson states.  “Get some rest, little sister.  I love you.”

               “I love you, too.”  I hang up and begin crying again.  Anton wraps his arm around me and holds me until I stop crying enough to function.  I climb the stairs to the room I’m staying in, change, and go to bed.  I’m so tired.  Mentally and emotionally drained from holding it all together to convince people I’m fine.