“Well,” I said lightly, “that ended faster than expected.”
Then I turned toward my boys.
“Say goodbye, kids.”
I began walking toward the exit.
Behind me, Ethan suddenly ran after us.
“Sophia, wait!” he shouted desperately. “Please don’t take them away from me!”
I helped the boys into the SUV before finally turning toward the man I once loved.
“They’re my sons, Ethan,” I said quietly. “I carried them. I raised them. I stayed awake through fevers and nightmares and every hard moment while you were gone.”
Tears filled his eyes.
“You were only the donor.”
Days later, Eleanor filed for custody immediately.
Fraud.
Parental alienation.
Full custody demands.
She hired the most vicious attorneys in Chicago.
But by then, I already knew something she didn’t.
The Montgomery empire was drowning in debt.
At a legal meeting downtown, Eleanor slid a check across the conference table.
“Take ten million dollars,” she said coldly. “Sign over custody and disappear.”
I stared at the check.
Then laughed.
Actually laughed.
“Oh, Eleanor,” I whispered. “You still think I’m poor.”
Her jaw tightened.
“Don’t test me.”
I stood slowly and walked around the table until I stood directly beside her chair.
“My company made thirty million dollars last quarter alone,” I said softly. “And this morning?”
I leaned closer.
“I bought your bank debt.”
Her face went white.
