Chapter 5: American divorce.

The summons arrives two days later via phone call from Celeste.

She says it’s a private court session and my attendance is required. I ask what it’s about and she reassures me that everything will be fine. Her tone is firm and confident, but me? Not so much.

Still, I dress carefully that morning in the loosest dress I own, all in a bid to hide the early curve of my stomach. Then I pin my blond hair back and stare at myself in the mirror for a long moment.

I have gotten significantly bigger — not just from being pregnant but also from staying in this luxurious condo where everything is provided for.

I look down at my stomach and think of the baby growing inside of me. Court sessions in divorces never lead to anything good.

What if—?

I quickly shake the thought away. ‘Focus on positive things only, Evelyn,’ I remind myself. Then I grab my purse and go downstairs.

Ramirez is waiting downstairs by the door of a black SUV. I get in and he drives me to a big firm at the end of the financial district.

There, a clerk leads us down a hallway that smells of polish and air freshener. Then we arrive at the meeting room. It is a spacious room with a long table in the middle.

Lucien is already seated in one chair at the long table, his face impassive, his scent closed off.

Celeste sits opposite him, her usual warm persona dulled even worse than before.

Neither of them looks at the other.

The moment Celeste sees me, she smiles and stands. “Evelyn, you’re here. Come sit with me.” She holds an arm out.

I attempt to smile but I am too much of a nervous mess to do so. I just join her and take the seat next to her.

Lucien finally looks in our direction, and I notice the dark circles around his eyes. His expression is blank and his gaze moves from me to Celeste.

I feel that overwhelming urge to curl inward again. I know how I must look sitting next to her, and my face flushes from embarrassment. I only look down at the table.

A lawyer comes in moments later and greets us. Then he settles down at the head of the table before opening a thin folder.

“So, for Ms Lily who might be unaware,” he gestures at me, “this is a private consultation to reach a settlement regarding the ongoing surrogacy arrangement. Statements will be recorded. Mr and Mrs Cross—”

“Laurent,” Celeste corrects.

The lawyer smiles. “Mrs Laurent, you may proceed with your decision.”

Lucien speaks first, his voice cold and final. “I don’t want the child anymore. Ms Lily will have to terminate the pregnancy.”

My heart sinks to the pit of my stomach. My worst fear has come to pass. I nearly make a choking sound as I stare at the man who has just uttered those words with no regard.

Celeste keeps her calm, smiling softly. “There is a very simple resolution to this conflict, Lucien. Relinquish your parental claim. The child will be mine alone.”

“No.” His voice isn’t loud but it makes me flinch. “Whether I want it or not, the child is my blood. If they exist, that is something neither my family nor I will ignore. A termination is the best course moving forward. You can have another child with Ms Lily once this one is terminated. I want nothing to do with you.”

I know his words aren’t meant for me but they hit just as hard.

This is his child for God’s sake.

No matter what Celeste might have done, the life growing in me is his.

How could he be so cold about this? So heartless?

Celeste’s voice sharpens. “Stop this nonsense, Lucien. You already filed for divorce. I let you keep the house. Why are you trying to take my child from me?”

Lucien keeps his face calm. And for a moment, he is quiet.

A flicker of hope grows in me that maybe he might crack and change his mind. That maybe he might let his baby live.

But my hopes are dashed just as fast.

“The child will not be born. Ms Lily will have to get rid of it.”

“That’s never going to happen. Cut the crap about them being Cross blood and your fucked-up family,” Celeste answers. “You’re doing this to punish me. But it isn’t only your choice! It’s mine too. And you will not kill my child! Relinquish your rights so we can end this like civilized adults.”

Lucien’s jaw tightens. “My stance on the matter remains unchanged. If we can’t reach an agreement, we’ll let a judge decide.”

Celeste completely cracks then, tugging at her hair. My heart breaks completely watching her and I feel the sudden urge to speak up.

I lean forward. “Mr Cross, maybe there’s a way to—”

Lucien’s head snaps toward me, eyes like daggers. “Do not get involved in my family matters. What right do you have to speak?”

I flinch, tears welling up fast behind my eyes. I sit back and fidget with the hem of my dress, trying to hide my shame.

“Don’t you dare speak to her like that! She has every right.”

“Ms Lily signed a contract and was paid generously for her services. Her body was simply a vessel to carry our child, nothing more. Her presence here was not needed. It was just another pathetic attempt of yours to siphon sympathy, to manipulate me into getting what you wanted, Celeste. But it will not work. Ms Lily will terminate the child! Whether you like it or not!” His words are final.

The silence that follows is thick and suffocating, Lucien’s angry, dominant scent overpowering the rest in the room.

The lawyer clears his throat then. “Mr Cross, are you formally requesting termination of the surrogacy contract?”

“Yes.”

“Are you relinquishing parental rights?”

“No. The child’s future is decided.”

Celeste’s expression cracks, and the pain in her face strikes me raw. I stare at the man who used to be her husband, and I feel instant hatred for him.

I speak again, fueled by courage I didn’t know I had. “My contract was with both of you. The baby belongs to both of you. You don’t get to decide alone.”

Lucien doesn’t even spare me a look this time. “You are still speaking? What business is this of yours?”

Celeste’s scent flares protectively. “Lucien—”

I cut her short. “It is my business! It is MY body carrying the child.” I snarl at him. “I signed a contract with both of you. And I’m already three months gone. I don’t care how powerful you think you are, but you will neither impose your right nor put my safety on the line just because you’ve decided not to be responsible anymore. Unless mutually agreed by BOTH parents, I will not be terminating the pregnancy.”

The room goes silent then.

Celeste stares at me with a stunned expression, like she hadn’t expected that I could bite back.

And Lucien? Lucien’s expression stays blank. But his gaze meets mine for a moment and I can tell something in him has moved.

The lawyer waits, pen poised. The seconds stretch into minutes of silence. Then he closes the folder. “No agreement has been reached today. Both parties retain current rights pending further mediation or court order. Session concluded.”

Lucien’s chair scrapes back roughly and he leaves without another word. I watch him with my jaw set, my hatred burning deeply.

Why do men always have to be such jackasses?

Celeste helps me up, holding me like I am the most delicate of flowers. Then she walks me out, holding me protectively until we are outside.

Outside, Ramirez is waiting by the car door. Once we are inside and the doors close, Celeste holds my palm.

“I’m moving you to another apartment, Evelyn. I don’t trust Lucien anymore. He can be very hot-headed and unstable sometimes, especially when his mind is set,” she says.

Something about the words frightens me.

She notices. “Oh, don’t worry, dear. Everything will be all right.”

I look at her pale face and see the careful composure that barely hides the cracks. “Will it?” I ask, uncertain.

She doesn’t answer right away. Then she smiles at me. “Lucien is many things. But he’s not a monster. You have to be strong, my dear. He won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to, but only if you are strong. Can you do that?”

I swallow hard.

Can I?

This is Lucien Cross — of the Cross Family I am speaking of.

And I…

I am nobody.

Her palms hold me tighter. “Trust me, Evelyn, okay?”

I stare into her beautiful blue eyes, and I feel a burst of courage again. So I nod. It isn’t like I have much of a choice either.

The baby is hers just as much as his. I can’t go against her wishes either. And at the same time, I still have a mountain of debt waiting for me.

She is my only hope to pay a significant portion of it.

Celeste smiles at me and presses a kiss to my palm. Then she lets go and looks out the window.

I do the same, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. I have crossed the Cross heir for the Laurent heir.

War is blooming. And I am caught in the middle of it.