“Why?”
“Because baby, you’re worth so much more than that. How dare he insult you that way by insinuating that not only you, but your child is worth so little to him? Disgusting!”
I hadn’t thought of it like that. I suppose Jason was right and that was exactly what he was suggesting. I didn’t know what to do about it. I really didn’t want anything from him, but I suppose the hundred grand would at least help me get started.
“So you think I shouldn’t take it, or I should?” I wasn’t quite sure. Jason was talking about all his money and saying he should pay, but thought the amount was too small. Was he suggesting I ask for more?
“No, you should definitely not take it. You should go to every tabloid and newspaper in this city with these papers and let them publish this. Let them show the world what a cheap, uncaring bastard Alexander Reigns really is.”
“I don’t want to do that, Jason. Then my own name will be dragged through the mud too. I want to finish school and get a job and set up a practice, that would hurt me before I got started.”
He put his arm around me and pulled me in for another hug. Then he said, “You’re right, babe. I’m so angry with him, I wasn’t thinking. But you know what we can do?”
“What?”
“We can have Paul file a countersuit. You go to the doctor and get this pregnancy verified and then we’ll file a counter suit asking for all your medical expenses to be paid for, a nice house for you and the baby to live in, enough cash to finish school and start your business and enough to ease the pain and suffering that he’s put you through today. This number should be in the millions at least.”
I sat up and looked at him. “Millions? Are you crazy?”
“Do you know what it takes to raise a child, Vicki? There have been studies done on middle class American families that say it takes two hundred thousand dollars to just get a kid from diapers to college. That’s with no fancy clothes and no private schools and no vacations and ski lessons. Don’t you want your child to have all of that?”
“Well, I hadn’t really thought that far ahead.”
“But you do want him to have the best, right?”
“Yes, of course I do.”
“Then millions is what it’s going to take. Look Vicki, this is not about me at all, it’s your decision and your life and your baby. I just want to help you.”
I was suspicious, but I had to take what he said into consideration. Jason and I weren’t together, so what would he really be getting out of this? Could it be that he was really this concerned about my child and me? The more he talked the angrier I got at Alex, that’s for sure. It still wasn’t about the money, but as I listened to Jason go over the papers I just couldn’t help but wonder what kind of heartless bastard creates a life and pays someone (not very well according to Jason) to terminate it? I was so wrong about him and that thought brought tears to my eyes.
Jason looked down at me and said, “Don’t cry beautiful, we’ll fix this.” Then he brought his lips down to mine and kissed me, softly. It was the sweetest kiss Jason ever gave me. His kisses were usually urgent and fueled by his need for sex.
When he pulled back I said, “Thank you, Jason. It means a lot to me that you’re here.”
“I’m going to be here for you baby. I’m going to help you through this. We can do this… together.”
CHAPTER TEN
VICTORIA
I called Liz earlier in the day and asked her if I could come over. I had news that I wanted to share with her. It was good news for a change. I parked on the street since this wasn’t my home any longer and walked up to the front door. Maybe I should say waddled. I hadn’t really gained that much weight, but my belly seemed to protrude a little further out every day. I was five months along now and definitely showing. My balance wasn’t what it used to be and I know I had to look at least a little funny when I walked.
It had been three months since I was served with papers by Alexander that said I had no rights to any of his money or anything in his estate. I really couldn’t spend much time dwelling on it because it only served to make me angry all over again. I didn’t want his money or his estate and I was appalled to believe he thought I did. It had been two months since I moved out of Liz’s apartment and in with Jason. He’d offered to help me save money since I had no job and an army of lawyers to pay. He was being so sweet and supportive that I thought it was a good idea. It wasn’t. Jason was still Jason and supportive or not, I’d probably made a mistake. It had been a few weeks now since I’d run completely through my savings though, so moving out at the moment was not a real viable option. I was twenty-three, pregnant, unemployed in the middle of a court battle and I’m pretty sure my boyfriend is cheating on me… again.