a man who’s abusing her, and with a child she obviously doesn’t want. Again.
“So, see, I was telling the truth about being sick,” she says. “The morning sickness has been dreadful. You’ll tell Jackson, won’t you? That I really am sick?”
“I’ll tell him.”
Natasha gazes at me with a smile. “It’s all working out. We both get what we want, don’t we?”
“What do you mean?”
“You get Ryder and Jackson. I get . . . a fresh start.”
“But you’re pregnant. By a man who doesn’t want to be a father.”
“He will.”
“What if he doesn’t?”
Natasha shrugs. “It’s early. I have options.”
“And what about Ryder?”
“What about him?”
“He’s your son, Natasha. Doesn’t he mean anything to you at all?”
She bows her head. “Of course he does. But Ryder will be just fine. I’m not a good mother, Olivia. But I want to be. With this baby, I get a clean slate. I deserve that, don’t I? I can learn from my mistakes and give this child an incredible life.”
“Not with an abusive father, you won’t.”
Her eyes fill with tears, and for just a moment, I feel a twinge of sympathy for the woman.
“Natasha, I know Jackson will help you. You can’t stay with this man.”
“We’re getting married.”
That’s when I notice the rock on her left hand.
“Natasha, you can’t. He’s abusive. Look at your face!”
She gently strokes her cheek. “This is nothing. A small price to pay for the joy he brings me. We’re still getting to know each other. I’m learning which buttons to push . . . and which to avoid completely. David says I need boundaries. I need to learn.”
Unbelievable.
“Natasha, I think you’re making a mistake.”
Her eyes crinkle with a sad smile.
“I’ve made my bed, Olivia. And I’m at peace with my decision.”
I have no idea what to say. But I also realize that nothing I say will matter.
“I do have one favor,” she says softly. “I want you to know that I do love Ryder. And I love him enough to let him go. You are so much better for him than I am. Please promise you’ll take care of him?”
“I don’t understand. That’s what I’ve been doing.”
“I know, but I mean . . . you’ll keep taking care of him. Won’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Good. Just tell Jackson to draw up the papers. I’ll sign them.”
Papers?
“Oh, you mean the divorce papers?”
“Well, yes, those, too,” she says. “But also, whatever papers I need to sign that will grant you legal custody.”
Me?
“Wait. Do you mean . . . you want to give Ryder to me?”
“I’m doing him a favor. You know it, and so do I. You’ll let him play. You’ll let him color outside the lines. You’ll love him unconditionally. Please . . .” her voice breaks. “Please be the mother I could never be. Please let me at least give him that.”
Natasha rests her hand on her still-flat stomach. Sympathy for her unborn baby almost suffocates me. This child will have an abusive father, a selfish mother, and zero chance of growing up in a loving home.
But I can’t worry about that child.
I have a beautiful boy waiting for me at home.
A boy whose biological mother just gave him away.
To me.
Suddenly, I’m thankful that Natasha has no interest in being a mother to her son. The woman is either certifiably insane or the stupidest woman on the planet. Either way, she won’t be hurting my kid anymore.
“No more custody battle?”
Natasha shakes her head.
“And you’ll stop fighting the divorce?”
“I’ll call my lawyer tomorrow. I see no reason to delay now that I’m engaged. David and I will want to get married soon.”
With a heavy sigh, I rise from the couch, and Natasha follows me to the foyer. Before I go, I turn around and offer her a sad smile. I feel like I should say something, but words fail me. Instead, I give her a hug.
“I promise to take care of Ryder.”
“I know you will. Thank you.”
I want to say more. I want to say to call if she needs help . . . because she’s going to need help someday. But our help won’t matter if she chooses to stay.
Still, I want to try.
“Natasha, if you ever need anything—”
“I won’t. Goodnight, Olivia.”
And with that, she closes the door in my face.
It’s after midnight when I arrive back at the penthouse. The apartment is quiet except for Jackson’s voice echoing from the balcony. I find him there, pacing back and forth, while he talks on the phone. I clear my throat, and his eyes