“As I said, the Baskins travel and they’d like to show Maisie other places in the world. They don’t plan to move there,” the other attorney said.
“So, this bill of sale for a flat in Paris in Mr. Baskin’s name isn’t to live in? Or is it for his mistress?”
“Mr. Connors, let’s remember our manners,” the judge chastised my lawyer.
“Yes, your honor.”
“Mrs. Baskin, what can you tell me about all this? Remember, you’re under oath,” the judge said. I was glad she was taking the issue seriously.
Veronica’s fiery eyes glared at me and then the judge. “I’m not the one lying here, judge. Dylan and Tessa have a fake marriage. They only married to fool you into thinking he was stable.”
“I’m not talking to them now,” the judge said, but she cast a glance at me before returning her attention to Veronica. “What is this about moving to France?”
She sighed. “We do want to spend more time in France, but not forever. Dylan would still be able to see Maisie.”
The judge pursed her lips and then turned to me. “What’s this about a fake marriage?”
“Your honor, the Hyatts are legally married. I have the marriage certificate to prove it, and they just found out they’re expecting a baby. They’re thrilled to be giving Maisie a baby brother or sister.”
Tessa stiffened next to me, and looked my way. I forced a smile and hoped to hell she’d do the same. That’s why we were here, after all. To look like the happy family we weren’t.
25
Tessa
One of the hardest things I’ve ever done was walk into that courtroom. I wasn’t sure if Dylan wanted me there or not, despite his lawyer telling me to come. Dylan seemed surprised at first, but didn’t say anything. He asked how I was, which was a good sign, I suppose, but I held no illusions that things would work out for us.
The lawyer surprised me by telling the court I was pregnant. That meant Dylan had to have told the lawyer. Had he started his strategy for fighting for our baby as well?
Dylan looked at me and smiled. It wasn’t a genuine smile, but one to show the court he was happy. Doing what I’d agreed to do, I smiled back. Because it was so painful, I turned and looked at the judge.
“That only suggests he knocked her up,” Veronica scoffed.
“Mr. Jackson, keep your client under control.” The judge looked back to us. “Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Hyatt.” She looked over the documents Dylan’s lawyer turned in and then up at us again. “In light of this new information, I’d like to recess to review.” She adjourned us for thirty minutes.
Feeling like I couldn’t breathe, I excused myself and went to the restroom. I splashed water on my face and stared at the woman in the mirror.
“How did you get here?” I asked her.
Needing fresh air, I stepped outside, wishing the sun could cast away the doom and gloom I was feeling.
“Mrs. Hyatt.”
I turned to Dylan’s lawyer.
“It turns out that information you found was important.”
I nodded. Just like I thought.
He cocked his head to the side as he studied me. “I hate to do this now, but I don’t know when I’ll see you again.” He handed me an envelope.
I swallowed as dread filled me. “Are these divorce papers?”
He shook his head and looked around as if he wanted to make sure no one was listening. “No. These have to do with the baby and Mr. Hyatt’s rights.”
My heart felt like an aching mass. “I don’t want—”
He held up a hand. “I’m his lawyer, and anything you say to me, I could use against you.”
I was only going to say I didn’t want to take the child, but I decided maybe he was right in that I needed to protect my rights too.
“I don’t know about your marriage, and I don’t want to know. But I suspect even if it started as a sham, it’s not so now. Try to work things out.”
I nodded. “Does he plan to divorce me?”
He looked at me with sympathy. “Try and work things out.”
I took that as a yes. Dylan had every right to be angry and want nothing to do with me. I made a mistake by not telling him about the baby sooner. I knew how he felt about Maisie and the woman trying to take her away from him. My only choice now was to try and figure out a way to have an amicable relationship with him for our child’s sake. I had to hope that he wouldn’t use his resources to take my child from me.
I opened the envelope and took out the papers.
“Have your lawyer check them over. My card is in there too so you can give it to whoever you retain.”
Seeing legal papers knocked the wind out of me. I inhaled sharply trying to get my bearings.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
I felt completely gutted. It was my own fault, I knew, but that didn’t change how much I wished Dylan would talk to me and forgive me. This baby wasn’t born and already, I was grieving that I might lose custody of it.
“I’m not feeling very well. The pregnancy …”
“Yes, of course.”
“I … need to leave.”
“It would be better if you could stay.”
I managed to look him in the face. “I’m sorry, I just …”
He nodded. “I’ll make your excuses.”
I felt like I was in a fog as I walked down the courthouse steps toward the parking area. I got into my car, but didn’t know where to go. Should I go to Dylan’s? Was I supposed to continue this ruse? If I went to his house, would he toss me out? I felt so alone and broken, and I couldn’t do it anymore.
I decided to go back to my parents’ home. I wouldn’t tell them about the fake marriage,
