Chapter 5

Zerah 

This was my fault.

My heart fell. Without even so much as a warning, my worst fear had unexpectedly happened.

Less than a few hours ago, I’d rushed out of the office after receiving a call that my mother was in the hospital. Immediately I thought the worst and flew into a panic, barely noticing anyone as I left.

It was only after getting to the hospital that my fears were eased.  As it turned out, although she was still in shock, she had simply suffered a small fall and had a few simple scrapes and bruises. Because of the shock she was going to have a simple night stay in the clinic. 

After talking to her, I left to pick Ryan and Micah from school and had told them everything, assured that she would be discharged by tomorrow.

I was confused when midway through dinner I received a knock on the door, but  hadn’t expected to see Ryker of all people at my doorstep.  

Seeing him at my doorstep, so close to the children I wanted to keep him away from made me panic. As a result I desperately tried to make him leave, raising my voice in the process. I forgot that my son's would hear me.

That was my mistake, and it was too late to fix.

I could see the shock and recognition on his face. There was no way he would see their stark resemblance to him.

It was over.

“Mom?” 

I turned to my two boys, staring confused and scared. Pushing everything away I turned back and rushed towards them.

“Yes?  Are you two okay?” I asked,

“We heard you shouting and we thought something bad happened. Is there something wrong mom?” Micah asked looking at the door where Ryker stood and my heart ached.

“I was just talking to a coworker. Nothing's wrong, I promise.” I said, forcing a smile. 

“Go back and finish your dinner. I'll be with you soon.”

They conceded , turning back to return to the living room.

With them gone, the smile slipped off my face as I stood back up.

I was going to have to face the music now. Turning back I found Ryker staring at me in the same spot, his eyes blazing.

I moved past him and pushed him out of the entrance into the porch, shutting the door behind me.

“If you want to talk, do it quietly.” I warned him before waiting in silence.

“Are they mine?” he asked without hesitation and I smiled bitterly.

“If I tell you no, would you leave?” 

My answer seemed to be the last straw for him. His face twisted into an angry grimace.

 “How dare you,” he bit out

“I should have known about what women like you are capable of. You took advantage of me to have my children. Use them to get to me?”

Rage heated up my skin. I barely withheld from slapping him again.

“I have nothing to do with you or your DISGUSTING mindset.” I snapped harshly, “I never forced you to sleep with me. We were both drunk. Between you and I, who was really taking advantage?” 

He reared back in response but I wasn't done. 

“And contrary to what you think about ‘women like me’, my children have and will never be tools”  I spat out, “I want nothing to do with you. So you can sleep peacefully knowing nobody gives a damn.”

My chest was heaving in silence and even the night breeze couldn't cool me down fast enough.

“They are my children.” Ryker said, “They should be with me.”

I whipped towards him in alarm, my heart hammering in my chest.

“No. You can't take them” 

“Can you stop me?” Ryker dared, taking steps towards me until we were a few inches apart,

“I can file for custody in court. With the resources at my disposal, I will win and you can do nothing about it,” 

Fear crept up my skin at his clear threat. 

I looked into his grey eyes with blazing determination of my own.

“No amount of intimidation in the world would make me give up my sons Mr Ryker Hart. Do your worst, and I'll fight back.” I said boldly, 

We remained in a staring match for minutes. I refused to give in until he looked away, 

“We’ll see,” he said, stepping back from the porch.

“I'm not giving up on this until I have my way. Either submit and give me my children, or face a custody battle. The choice is yours, Zerah.”  he said.

I remained glaring as he turned away, stepping into his car. Only when his car was out of  sight did my walls finally crumble.

I broke down on the front porch, the sobs I was holding back leaving me like punches. 

In a matter of weeks my content life had crumbled into pieces. The life I escaped with him had been back in full force and I was forced to face Ryker everyday.

And now, the worst had happened. He knew and now he was going to try to take them from me.

I was going to fight. But what did I have in comparison to him? He was a billionaire and my overall boss. 

What was I  going to do now?