“Heather probably didn’t tell me because she was worried I’d make her stay in River Valley since she was carrying our child. Honestly, though, I really don't know for sure. She has yet to tell me. Regardless though, I refuse to give her the money that she’s asking for.”
My father nodded, then leaned over the table toward me. “Who’s your lawyer?”
“Danielle Estrem, the one our family has been using for decades.”
“Danielle is a good attorney, but there are a few other ones that might be better, Richard. I know of one who is ruthless and cutthroat. He’ll make sure that you don’t get screwed over.”
“That’s okay, Dad. Danielle has been going above and beyond for me. She had me take a paternity test, even though I knew it wasn’t necessary.” I pulled my phone out and showed him pictures of Addison, and his face lit up.
She even looked like him.
“No,” he said, fighting back the tears. “There’s no doubt that Addison is a Truman.”
He turned around to wipe his face clean. Showing emotion wasn’t something that my father often did, and it was heartwarming to see him happy over his new granddaughter.
“But that’s good that you took a paternity test, Richard. All custody cases should have one done. Has she met Annie yet?”
My father thought Annie was a good match for me, and I’d hoped he’d understand why I broke it off. “Well, I invited Annie to the lake this past weekend, and she met Addison, but then Heather showed up, and it all went to shit.”
My father’s face became cold, the way it always did before he made a big decision for the company. “What happened?”
I told him everything. That Annie and Addison were getting along so well. How I’d been suspicious of being followed around town by a black SUV. That Heather screamed at Annie and me in front of Addison. And how I had to break things off.
“So naturally, I’m in a bit of a funk right now. I don’t know what to do, especially since Heather wants complete custody.”
My father shook his head. “No, Richard. I can tell that you’re in love with Addison, so you make sure that Danielle gets you at least joint custody. Don’t let that bitch ruin your life yet again, and you tell me if you need anything. Do you understand?”
I smiled and nodded at my dad.
He leaned back, smacking his lips. “As for Annie, that sure sucks. Are you sure that you made the right decision, son?”
I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples, trying to get her image out of my mind. It was impossible.
“I hate that she’s not in my life anymore, but yes, I made the right decision. I barely have time to take care of myself, let alone be in a relationship.”
Dad nodded. It was a problem he and my mother had while Jake and I were growing up. We’d sometimes hear them arguing in their bedroom, and my mom would be complaining that he was never home. Children need a good home life and parents who had a strong bond.
“Well, like I said, just let me know if you need anything.”
“Yes, thank you. I just need some time to think right now, that’s all.”
“If you’re looking to get away and clear your mind for a while, why not head out to New York? We have an upcoming meeting with a few bankers out there tomorrow. I was planning a virtual meeting with them, but it would be great if you showed up to represent the family in person. You can just stay in my penthouse. There’s no reason all of this legal stuff with Heather can’t be worked out over the phone while you’re gone. Unless you plan on seeing Addison, that is.”
I let out a huff. “Are you kidding me? Over these past few weeks, I’ve only seen her a handful of times. I doubt I’ll get to see her until this custody crap is over with anyway, so yeah, I’ll take you up on that offer.”
He nodded, then handed over some paperwork for the meeting. We went over a few specifics, and I realized that I’d have to leave River Valley immediately. I picked up a few things from my office at my parent's house, got back in my car, and sped back to my mansion.
I also spotted the black SUV a few times along the way, but it didn’t follow me all the way home. Good. Let Heather believe that I’m holed up in my mansion. If anything suspicious happened, I’d get a notification on my phone and have her arrested for trespassing.
Then I’d practically be guaranteed custody of Addison.
After I got home, I quickly packed up my stuff and then booked a flight. Except for Annie, there was nothing I loved more than coming back to my mansion. But I needed a change of scenery if I was going to make the right decision when it came to Addison. Being in that big house, alone, only made me think of the nights Annie and I had spent together. And the more I thought about Annie, the more I wanted to take her back.
I had a driver take me to the airport, and I instructed him to take the backroads when leaving the property. Heather always complained about how windy they were, so I knew she wouldn’t see me going.
I used the quiet flight to center myself. Specifically thinking about where I wanted to see my life in five years.
It made me think about the five-year business plans that our company used before buying a piece of property. What did we want it to look like in five years? What would be needed to reach that goal? Would any changes need to be made to our current business plan?
