“What about your fiancé or husband?”He asks as a smile tips up the corner of his lips.“Could he help with those sorts of things because that’s what I want, sweetheart.I want to marry you.”
Chapter 21
Maverick
Iwishtherewasmore I could do.I wish I could take away all her fears and anxieties.That I could prove to her I'm in this for the long run.
I want them to move in with me.I want Sydney to be my wife and let me take care of her.I want to adopt her kids and treat them like they’re my own flesh and blood.I want a happily ever after with her more than she’ll ever understand.
Placing my hand on her lower back, I lead her into the court room and over to her lawyer.She takes a seat next to the woman and stares up at me with so much worry.
“It’s going to be ok, and if it’s not, we have a game plan, remember?”
She nods her head, but I'm not sure if she’s really listening to me.Her face has lost almost all color and she looks terrified.I wish I could do more but I feel completely helpless in all of this.
“Can you sit right behind us?”The lawyer asks.
“Of course.”I slip into the bench behind them.
Rob swaggers in like he already knows how this is going to end and he has all the confidence in the world.He’s such an awful human being.I don’t understand how he ever gained Sydney’s attention.
Rob turns towards Sydney and smirks as he takes his seat.His gaze strays to me and his brows furrow right as they ask for everyone to stand for the judge to come in.
“I'm awarding Ms.Pecker custody of the children and you can have visitation rights.She maintains full ownership of Sydney’s Sweets also.”
“Your honor,” Rob’s lawyer cuts in.
“Quiet.She needs to be able to support the children your client doesn’t want a part in raising.”The judge glares at Rob.
I know Colt said he was going to speak to the judge and let him know what was really going on between Sydney and Rob before it came to court.I'm not sure if he followed through with it, but this guy definitely doesn’t like Rob.
“The bank accounts will be split, except for the ones owned by Sydney’s Sweets.Ms.Pecker will get everything in those.Any outstanding debt not associated with the bakery will be Mr.Pearson’s obligation to pay.”
“Excuse me?”Rob growls.His lawyer apologizes and tries to get his client under control.
“As far as the house goes,” the judge continues like Rob never spoke, “I think it’s only fair to split the house in half.I know Mr.Pearson isn't living there, so Ms.Pecker can either buy out his half of the house or they can sell it and split the profits.If Ms.Pecker doesn’t want to live there, Mr.Pearson is free to buy out her half.”
“Why does she get first dibs on the house?”Rob hisses, glaring across the room at Sydney.
“Because you’re a cheating husband and a terrible father.You chose to walk away from your family, while she stayed and kept taking care of her children… Though from what I know, you weren’t really involved in your children’s lives to begin with.”The judge pins Rob with a look.“I won't let you put your ex-wife and kids out on the street because you want to be petty.”
“I want the house,” Rob grumbles.
The judge shifts around some papers in front of him before he turns his attention to Sydney.His eyes soften as he watches her carefully.
“Ms.Pecker, do you want to stay in the house or would you rather find another place to live?”
Sydney glances over her shoulder at me.She stares at me for a few moments.I can see her brain working and her warring with herself.
‘Move in with me,’ I mouth to her.
“I don’t want to live in the house.I’m moving out this weekend,” Sydney says with so much confidence, never taking her eyes off of me.
“Ok.Mr.Pearson, since you want the house so badly, I’ll amend my ruling.You will get the house and you owe Ms.Pecker three-hundred thousand dollars for her half of it.”
“Are you kidding me?”Rob flies out of his seat and slams his hands down on the table in front of him.
“Mr.Pearson, you will hold your tongue.I'm tired of dealing with you and your outbursts.You said you wanted the house and Ms.Pecker doesn’t, so you’re getting what you wanted.I'm not sure why you’re angry now.”
