Defiance of the Heart by Monica James

Author:Monica James [James, Monica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Monica James
Published: 2018-10-16T23:00:00+00:00

I ache.

Not just physically but emotionally as well.

After last night, I’ve continued to work in a somewhat daze, unbelieving this is happening. This is everything I thought I wanted. But it comes at what price?

I can’t lie to London. There is no coming back from this. If he sees Lincoln and me together, and I’m wearing that ring, he will never forgive me. Even if my intentions are good, it will be history repeating itself.

But if I don’t do this, Lincoln will make sure to hurt London in another way. He will take Emily away from him because as unfair as it is, he is her biological father. Exceptions can be made, but I know the law. London is at a disadvantage, no matter how much it sucks.

I’ve been going around and around in circles, attempting to strategize ways to have this go another way. So far, I’ve been staring at a blank computer screen for hours.

Closing the page, I open the document which contains the NDA and the terms to our agreement. I’ve spent all morning typing it up. When put to paper, it’s clear Lincoln is doing this to hurt both London and me. Yes, he may want to use my status to further his, but deep down, he knows the damage this will do to our relationship.

Sniffing back my tears, I attempt to finish this contract, pushing my emotions aside. Upon reading over each clause, I delete clause 3.4 with regret, which says fuck you.

Lost in legal jargon, I don’t even know what time it is, so when a knock sounds on my door, I wonder who it is. I’ve asked Yvonne to hold all calls and cancel any meetings I had.

“Come in,” I call out, fingers poised over the keyboard. When London walks through the door, a jumble of letters scatter across my screen.

“Hi, Princess.”

“H-hi,” I stumble over my words, quickly minimizing the screen.

My jumpiness doesn’t go unnoticed by him. “I’m sorry to just drop by. I tried calling you, but you didn’t answer.” He points at the cell on my desk with fifteen missed calls.

“Oh, sorry. I spaced. I’ve been swamped with work.” He nods but doesn’t seem convinced.

He begins a slow walk toward me, and the room grows smaller. “Is something wrong? After yesterday, you just left, and I haven’t heard from you since. Is it Emily? I know it’s a lot to take in. I understand if you need space,” he says in a rushed breath.

“What?” I ask, stunned. “No, I don’t need space.”

“Oh.” His shoulders depress as he exhales. “Then why the radio silence? Emily couldn’t stop talking about you, but I don’t know how you feel. I think it went well, but—”

“London, stop,” I say, coming to a stand. His mouth remains open, midsentence. “Emily is a special little girl, and I enjoyed our time together. A lot.”

“Then what’s wrong?” He almost begs, arms extended outward.

Averting my eyes, I bite my lip, giving away my guilt. “Princess. Talk to me. Do you want to slow things down?”

“No!” I shout, then a thought so heinous overcomes me.

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