Fallen Woman(76)

I’d sobbed uncontrollably but knew in my heart if he’d been an average guy with an equally average bank account, I wouldn’t have even batted an eyelash. I was hurting us by arguing this point, and he was right. He knew I loved him, and it had nothing to do with dollar signs. If it had, I could have taken it months ago when he offered. But now the option to have the lifestyle Jase and I both wanted was available…so instead of arguing with him, I’d agreed.

“Okay.” His mouth called to me. I needed to kiss him as much as I needed my next breath.

His arms surrounded me, catching me in a tight hug. “Thank you.”

We lingered a little while longer before getting out and braving the press.





Chapter Fifteen





Just before we left the house to meet Hart at his office, he called to tell Jase the wait for adoption approval was over, and he would have the papers ready when he got there for him to sign. “Great, we can do it all at once.” The smile on his face almost overshadowed the annihilation we were about to face.

He was on cloud nine, and I hated to think what the afternoon would do to his mood. When we pulled into the parking lot, he came around and opened my door. Taking my hand in his, we walked into Hart Linland’s office. We were shown back to a conference room where there were four sets of papers laid out down the length of the table. Jase pulled out a chair for me to sit and then took a seat next to me. He was more excited than a kid at Christmas.

Hart walked in shortly after and explained to Jase what each page meant, showed him the yellow tags indicating where he needed to sign, and said it was the same for all of them. Once they were signed, he’d submit them to the court and schedule a hearing. He winked at Jase and left the room with a promise to return in a bit. The gesture was odd, but I figured he was as excited for Jase as I was.

I watched as Jase read the first set of papers, signing where indicated as he went. Then the second. And the third and fourth followed after. When he was done, he turned to me and spun my chair to face his. With my hands in his, he started to speak.

“Gianna, you know we’re here for me to complete the paperwork for Derrick, but I’m hoping you’ll consent to the other three as well. I don’t want there to be any difference in any of us. Those are my kids, and you’re my wife. I want you all to have my last name. If you sign the paperwork,”—he motioned to the extra three sets—“we can make that happen legally.”

I chewed on my bottom lip, wanting nothing more than to give him a wholehearted yes, but I struggled with whether the choice was mine to make. I never wanted my kids to feel like they weren’t a part of our family, but I didn’t want to rob them of what little Ryan left them. Tears pricked my eyes at the sentiment, but the only fair thing I could think of was a compromise.

“Jase, I’m honored you want my children to have your last name, and if it were me making the decision, I’d say yes, right this second. But I want the kids to be included in the decision. Can we sign them, talk to the kids tonight, and have Hart file them in the morning? I just want to make sure they want this, too.” I felt horrible ruining his surprise, but in the long run, it needed to be a family decision.

The smile never left his face, and the glimmer in his eyes was just as bright. “Absolutely.” He kissed me on the mouth before rising to take the papers to Hart. They returned together, and the atmosphere in the room changed. The happy business was over, and it was time to move on to the press who would be standing outside Hart’s office in less than an hour.

“I’ve prepared statements for both of you,” he stated as he handed us copies of what he’d written. “But, I think it would serve you both better to speak from the heart…together. The public is a sucker for a Cinderella story, and I think people will see your intentions and character if they see you unified.”

Jase looked for my approval. I was terrified, but knew I had to do this for him. With him. I nodded my agreement and kept listening.

“How much do you want us to tell?” I questioned Hart.

“Everything you’re willing to share.” He raised his eyebrows and turned his attention to each of us individually. “The more honest you are, the more forgiving the public will be. That doesn’t mean Holland will drop the charges or the lawsuit, but it will be far less painful in the long run if you’re open about how you got where you are today.”

“So you’re saying if we openly admit everything, you don’t guarantee that will make him back down?” My lip quivered at the thought of being so vulnerable in front of cameras that would broadcast every word we uttered.

“I can’t guarantee anything, but I’m hoping if you share your story then it doesn’t leave anything for him to fight with.”

The conversation continued until it was time for us to step outside.

Together.

As husband and wife to face this demon.

Jase held my hand firmly in his and kept me half a step behind him as though he were protecting me from a physical threat. Hart thought it would be best for Jase to speak first and me to follow, then both of us answer questions together. Part of me wished I was going first just to get it over with, but the agony of standing there, listening to Jase talk, wouldn’t have been any easier.

Hart stepped up to the podium that had been placed on his steps. He welcomed the journalists and thanked them for coming before introducing, “Jase and Gianna Lane.” I took in all the shocked faces as the crowd murmured, obviously unaware we’d gotten married. I felt like I should smile, but nothing about this was a happy occasion, and I couldn’t force one to my lips.