Chapter 83
Just one night
Carter’s POV
“Come in.”
My mother walked in with a sullen expression. I didn’t want to ask what the issue was. I was so sick of her.
“Hey.”
I didn’t offer any response to that. She was the main reason I was in this mess to begin with. There was no need for her to pretend that we were on speaking terms.
“Carter, are you still mad at me?” She asked but I didn’t offer any response to that as well. She knew pretty well that I was angry. Pissed.
She took a seat beside me.
“I just wanted you to know that I would never hurt you. I love you and I want only the best for you. Please don’t ever forget that,” she said and I looked at her in disbelief.
“And Meghan was the best you could pick out for me?” I asked. “You saw what she did, didn’t you?”
She was silence for a few seconds.
“I understand that she made a mistake but you know how the girls these days actually. She was afraid of losing you and expressed it the wrong
way,” she paused when she met my eyes.
Was she being serious right now? That woman got me arrested and she was here saying what? Girls react that way?
“Carter, your wedding is in a few weeks. You can’t just cancel everything and…”
“Are you being serious right now?” I cut her short. “After everything, you want me to go back to her? And you sit there telling me you want the best for me. What kind of mother does that?”
She couldn’t utter a word and instead, resorted to staring at her pedicured
nails.
“I know that you are mad, honey but if you could just give her another chance… I am certain she will do better. Look, she came here and she was truly remorseful…” she was saying when I cut her short.
“Does she have something on you?” I asked.
“What?”
“Is she blackmailing you?” I watched her carefully. “That is the only explanation to what you are saying right now. Days ago, I could have sworn that you had completely cut her off and now, she is suddenly your daughter–in–law?”
“You seem to be forgetting that she is carrying your baby, Carter,” she said.
“Is that what this is about? The child? That is what she is using against you?” I asked. “Look, mom, she can do whatever she wants with the baby. I can get as many children as I want, if I make up my mind to. There is no need to succumb to her antics, because even if you do, I have no intention
of being with her.”
“Carter!” She gasped, surprised I could utter such words. “How could you say such a thing? You want to throw away your first fruit because of a mere misunderstanding?”
At this point, everything she said had become nonsense to me. How could she call what Meghan did a mere misunderstanding? Was this a joke to her?
I stood up, running a frustrated hand through my hair. “Mom, listen to yourself. A mere misunderstanding?” I scoffed. “She had me arrested. She lied to the police and tried to ruin my life. And you expect me to act like nothing happened?”
She sighed, shaking her head. “Carter, I know what she did was wrong, but you have to think about the bigger picture. Marriage isn’t just about love. It’s about responsibility, commitment, and-”
“Responsibility?” I let out a bitter laugh. “You mean like how Meghan took responsibility when she accused me of assault? Or how she tried to manipulate me into staying with her by using this baby?”
Her lips pressed together in a firm line, and for a moment, I saw the hesitation in her eyes. She knew I was right.
“I just want what’s best for you,” she said softly.
“No, Mom. You want what’s best for you.” I turned to face her fully. “You think keeping Meghan in my life is the best choice because of
appearances, because of our name. But what about me? What about my happiness?”
She looked away.
20.09%
we do bes
I exhaled sharply. “I’m not marrying her.”
“You don’t mean that,” she said quickly. “You’re just angry…”
“No, Mom.” My voice was firm. “I do mean it.”
A tense silence filled the room. She opened her mouth as if to argue, but then she sighed and stood up.
“I hope you reconsider, Carter.”
I watched her walk to the door, her posture stiff. Just as she was about to leave, she turned slightly. “Whether you like it or not, she’s still the mother of your child.”
I clenched my jaw as she walked out, shutting the door behind her.
The mother of my child indeed.
I just needed a release and escape from all this. Just as the thought crossed my head, my phone rang. It was an unknown number and I immediately suspected Meghan.
I decided to ignore it but then a text came.in.
CARTER whatever–your–middle–name–is GRAYSON, WOULD YOU PICK UP YOUR PHONE UNLESS YOUR DICK ZAPPED BEFORE AN AUDIENCE.
I found myself chuckling despite my confusion. The call came in again and I immediately answered.
“You need to be threatened before you pick up the damn phone, dumbass?” She hissed and I chuckled. Right! This was definitely Arie.
But how did she even get my contact? I don’t remember her asking for it.
“How did you get my number?” I asked her.
“Would you believe me if I said that I randomly guessed it?” I could feel the smile in her voice.
“You must be really good then. A genius,” I snorted.
“I know, you don’t need to tell me. I like to stay humble,” she responded and I rolled my eyes.
“For the record, I do not believe you but I am not going to pressure you for an answer.” I said. “You called at the right time.”
“Told you I was special,” I could already picture the smirk on her face as she said those words. “What happened to you? Wanna hangout?”
I hesitated for a moment. Hanging out sounded tempting, anything to get my mind off my mother and Meghan.
“Where?” I asked, leaning against my desk.
“The usual spot,” Arie said.
I frowned. “We don’t have a ‘usual spot.
She sighed dramatically. “Then let’s make one. There’s a bar downtown, The Scarlet Lounge. Meet me there in an hour.”
I exhaled, rubbing the back of my neck. “Fine. But if you get me into trouble, I swear…”
“Oh, please,” she interrupted. “I’m a saint compared to your fiancée.”
Fiancee? Did that mean that she already knew about Meghan? Oh God, I was going to get an earful.
1 scowled. “She’s not my fiancée.”
“Yeah, yeah. Save it for your therapist. See you in an hour, dork.”
The line went dead before I could respond.
I stared at my phone for a moment before shaking my head. Arie was trouble, but the kind I actually wanted right now. I found myself smiling.
An hour later. I walked into The Scarlet Lounge. Dim lighting, a sultry jazz tune playing in the background, and the faint scent of whiskey and mischief in the air. It wasn’t a bad place, but it also wasn’t somewhere I expected Arie to choose.
And then I saw her.
Sitting at the bar in a tight black dress, her long legs crossed as she sipped a cocktail. Arie looked like she belonged here, like she owned the place. She turned her head, spotted me, and smirked.
“Took you long enough,” she teased, raising her glass. “I was starting to think you chickened out.
I slid into the seat beside her. “Not a chance.
She grinned and pushed a drink toward me. “Then let’s make tonight. interesting.”
“What are you talking about? I thought we were just drinking,” I said, taking the next seat beside her.
“We are drinking but don’t pretend you don’t want another taste of me,” she winked and I shook my head with a small smile. “Is that a yes?”
“A yes to what?”
M
“Just tonight, okay. Honestly, I wouldn’t come to you if I had better
options but your killjoy uncle warned his guards not to let my visitors in. Cruel, isn’t it?” She said to lighten the mood but I kept staring at her with shock.
She was going to take her flings to his house? Nahh, that level of disrespect and audacity couldn’t be tolerated,
“What are you saying? Please say yes,” she clasped her hand together pleadingly.
