Chapter 257:

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Aidan leaned against the doorframe, watching. In his eyes, I was a cold, distracted mother who cared more about her work than her child.

A little while later, Blake’s phone rang, and he stepped out onto the balcony to take the call.

He came back a few minutes later. “Something’s come up at the hospital,” he announced to the room. “I have to go.”

He looked at me and waited. He expected me to ask what was wrong, to show some concern.

I looked up from my tablet. “So when will you be back to pick up Lily?” I asked, ignoring his bait entirely.

His face darkened instantly. He hadn’t expected to be dismissed so thoroughly. Aidan took in the whole exchange with a smug, I-told-you-so smirk.

“Before dinner,” Blake bit out.

He turned to Lily. “Sweetie, Daddy has to go see Aunt Dayna at the hospital. Do you want to come?”

Lily’s eyes lit up, but then she glanced at me and hesitated.

𝗝𝘰in 𝘰𝘶𝗿 с𝗈𝗺𝗆𝗎𝗻𝘪𝘁𝗒 𝗼𝗇 𝗴а𝗹𝘯о𝘷е𝗹𝘀.c𝗈𝘮

I made the decision for her. “Lily is staying here with me today,” I said, my tone final. “You can go.”

Blake stared at me, his eyes a storm of anger and confusion. Then he left without another word.

Aidan made an excuse and left soon after. I knew he was hurrying off to give Blake his “report.”

Meanwhile, I made a call of my own.

“Casey, it’s me. That friend you mentioned, Preston Cole, the best divorce lawyer in New York. I need an introduction.” I paused, my eyes hardening. “I need someone who can read between the lines of Blake’s settlement offer. I’m not signing anything until I understand what he’s really hiding.”

Casey’s voice was calm and steady. “You got it. Preston will help you see what Blake doesn’t want you to see.”

I hung up and turned back to Lily, who was happily stacking colorful wooden blocks on the rug. She looked up and giggled when the tower held firm. I smiled back and wrapped my good arm around her shoulders. Whatever legal maneuvers Blake and his advisors attempted, Lily’s safety and peace were non-negotiable.

Corinne POV

On Monday morning, I walked into Preston Cole’s law office. It occupied the top floor of a Midtown skyscraper, with sweeping views of the city and an air of quiet, expensive power. The receptionist offered me a cup of coffee while I waited, and I sat by the window, watching the late-winter sun cut low across the skyline.

Preston Cole was younger than his photos suggested, perhaps in his early forties, with meticulously combed blond hair and sharp eyes behind gold-rimmed glasses that seemed to see right through a person.

He didn’t waste time on small talk. He slid a bound report across his desk toward me. “Ms. Sargent. My team and I spent the weekend analyzing this agreement. My conclusion is the same as your previous counsel’s, but I have a different take.”

I picked up the report.

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Message from Noa: My beloved little oneeeees, just letting you know that there’ll be some revamping on the site soon, with lots of new features that I hope you’ll love so so much. It’s taking a little while, but everything will be ready this week. Hope you like them, and remember that most of the options will only be available to the little ones who are registered and logged in. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (>‿=)✌

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