Chapter 12 - THE WOMAN WHO WOULD NOT LET GO
Ethan laughed because the alternative was punching the SUV.
“She has no standing.”
Marcus nodded.
“Legally, probably not.”
“Probably?”
“She’s claiming Rosa is using Lily to manipulate you during an active corporate investigation.”
Rosa’s face hardened.
“How does that involve Victoria?”
“She’s also claiming company funds are being used to support Rosa.”
Ethan stared.
“I bought breakfast.”
Marcus held up a hand.
“I know.”
Rosa’s expression changed.
“She’s trying to create a scandal.”
“Yes.”
Ethan looked toward the preschool.
“Then we shut it down.”
Rosa shook her head.
“No.”
He turned.
“No?”
“You don’t shut it down by throwing more power at it.”
“She’s attacking you.”
“She wants you to react.”
Ethan breathed through his nose.
Rosa continued.
“She wants headlines that say billionaire threatens abandoned bride over secret child.”
Marcus grimaced.
“That is almost exactly the story her publicist is pushing.”
Ethan cursed.
Rosa folded her arms.
“So don’t give it to her.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Tell the truth.”
“That simple?”
“No.”
Her voice softened.
“But cleaner.”
That afternoon Ethan held a press conference.
No lawyers beside him.
No prepared speech.
He stood at a podium outside Cole Infrastructure headquarters.
Cameras flashed.
“My wedding did not take place.”
Reporters shouted.
He raised a hand.
“My former fiancée did not ruin it.”
More shouting.
“My father did not ruin it alone either.”
He paused.
“I did.”
The crowd quieted.
“Three years ago, I accepted information about someone I loved without asking enough questions.”
Rosa watched from home.
Lily was coloring on the floor.
Ethan continued.
“I recently learned I have a daughter.”
The reporters exploded.
He waited.
“I will not discuss her private life.”
A reporter yelled, “Is the mother an employee?”
“Yes.”
“Did she target you?”
“No.”
“Did she hide the child?”
“No.”
“Will you seek custody?”
Ethan’s jaw tightened.
“I will seek a relationship with my daughter based on what is healthy for her.”
Not what he was entitled to.
What was healthy for her.
Rosa noticed that.
Then someone shouted, “Do you still love the mother?”
Ethan froze.
Marcus, off camera, looked horrified.
Ethan could have dodged.
He didn’t.
“Yes.”
Rosa’s hand stopped halfway to her coffee.
The reporters went insane.
Ethan leaned toward the microphone.
“But that does not mean she owes me anything.”
Rosa looked down.
Lily glanced up.
“Mommy?”
“What?”
“Your face is red.”
“It’s warm.”
“It’s not.”
Rosa laughed despite herself.
Then her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
“Hello?”
Victoria’s voice came through.
“You think you won?”
Rosa’s smile disappeared.
“I’m not playing.”
May you like
Victoria whispered—
“You will be when you see what I sent the press.”
