30 Days to Divorce My Billionaire Husband のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 21 - チャプター 30

(Calder)By ten-thirty, I have two lawyers, a private physician, and a pathology report on the table in front of me.The report is one full page. Non-invasive blood screen for paternity and flagging any other problems.The result that makes this real is one sentence.Probability of paternity: 99.98 percent.Maternal blood. Fetal DNA. My sample matched.One of the lawyers pushes the folder closer. “We can request a second independent test. A scan. More conclusive.”“Do it.”The physician looks up from his notes. “It won’t materially change the result. This is solid.”“Request it anyway.”The other lawyer opens a second file. “Ms. Pearce’s counsel is treating this as established fact. They want a meeting after the confirmatory result.”“Not until I’m ready. Every communication goes through counsel.” I tell them.“Understood.”I know I’ll have to talk to Emma eventually. But after her barging in last night and telling me like she did, she can wait. I have to talk to Mia too. I wish I co

(Mia)Lena sees him before I do.Her face darkens and she gets up and heads towards the back room.“Your husband is here,” she says as she walks off. “I’ll give you some privacy.”I look up from the plans spread across the table.Calder is standing just outside the glass studio doors with his jacket in one hand and a look on his face that tells me he has had the kind of day that would break many.That does not make me feel sorry for him. Not right now. He made his choices and he brought this on himself.Calder makes eye contact and looks at me asking for permission to enter. I nod and he comes in and comes over to the table.“Congratulations,” he says.I don’t answer.His eyes shine with sincerity. “You made the shortlist.”“How do you know already?”“I had Marcus keep me informed. You must be so proud.”“I am. We are.” I close the laptop. “Why are you here, Calder?”His face gives nothing away for a second. “Clearly we need to talk about… last night.”“Not here. I’m working.”He sets

(Calder)Emma is waiting on my private office floor when I arrive.I sit across from her and put the folder on the table. “The result is solid. A second test is being requested.”Her mouth hardens. “You don’t trust me. I thought you loved me.”“This isn’t about trust or love. This child stands to gain a significant amount, I need the paper trail to make sure it’s all taken care of.”“Of course. Business first as usual.”“I’m accepting responsibility for the baby,” I say cleanly.“You are the father so you are responsible for the baby.”“As are you,” I remind her. “And I expect you will put this child first, as I will.”She glares at me. “Of course I will.”“I need some breathing space. So, before things get too advanced, I’m taking a week away soon,” I say firmly.Her eyes sharpen straight away. “You’re going away with her, aren’t you?”“Yes.”“I can’t believe it. I need you Calder, we need you.” Her hand goes to her abdomen.“I’ll be here for a week and then in Paris for a week.” I h

(Mia)By the time we get back to the penthouse, it is late.“We still have pasta leftover,” I say.“Great. I’m starving,” Calder answers right behind me.I stick the big bowl into the microwave.“I want to go over those early residential phases again tomorrow. And I think I should talk some of it through with Lena,” I say.“No.”I look at him. “No?”“I don’t want anyone else knowing about the Common Ground Initiative.”“She’s my best friend. You know you can trust her.”“It’s not about trust. Also check the rules and terms of your competition. I’m not having your shortlist challenged,” he says.“Our proposal for the comp is vastly different. It shares the same mindset and desired outcome for sure.”“In my world, we don’t leave these things to chance. There is always someone waiting to trip you up so they can take your glory.”I plate the food and hand him his. “I’ll recheck tomorrow.”We eat standing at the island.It’s a very ordinary way to end a long day and it feels good. Normal.

(Mia)Calder gets back mid-afternoon.I’m just finishing my lunch, then I’m heading in to work with Lena.“How was everything?” I ask.“Hectic.”“How did lunch with Emma go?”He sits at the table with me. “She’s still angry, the board’s angry, the public are angry. How did it go with your mother?”I don’t want to get into that now. “It was fine.”He looks at me suspiciously.“We need to talk,” I say. “Seeing the warehouse was great. I can see your vision for it. I’d like to see a business in it for us. But I can’t just forget what I heard the other night.”“I know.”I fold my arms. “Why did you use a condom with me?”He sighs. “We’re starting there.”“Yes.”He looks away for a second, then back at me. “Because after Emma said you were trying to trap me, I realized how reckless I’d been.”“By having unprotected sex with multiple women to get your kicks?”“I did not have sex with every woman I dated.”“Really?” I ask sarcastically.“It’s true, Mia.”“Then why would you let the media and