Another month had gone by. Things had calmed down but not by much. Cuntia, as I now referred to her as, still worked for Grayson but on a whole different floor and the chances of even seeing her were nil. I was fine with that, but I wasn’t fine with the fact that Grayson couldn’t just have her killed or something, even though I’m sure it would be way too suspicious.

“You feeling alright?”

I glanced up at Edith who handed me a folder. Edith was a former intern for Mandrake Towers and finally was given a permanent position here a few months ago. She always ensured we had enough girl’s nights in her earlier days, before she became enthralled with Kevin, another intern, to whom she’s now married with a daughter. It’s amazing how people change when they get married and have a family. “Yeah, I’m just really tired.”

She crossed her arms and gazed at me. “I would’ve dropped this file off an hour ago, but you were asleep at your desk and I didn’t want to disturb you. You’ve been looking exhausted for a few days now. That Grayson must be keeping you up at night. Inconsiderate sex fiend.”

I smiled. That was part of the reason, but I also think it had to do with the stress of this whole thing. “Hey, how about we go out for lunch. Get some fresh air. You’re always cooped up in this office.”

I shook my head. “I can’t, Edith. I have a lot to do.” I pointed to all the paperwork in front of me. Besides, spending time here at the office kept me distracted from thinking about the upcoming court appearance.

She frowned. “Fine, but let’s do a dinner or something with the rest of the girls. We haven’t had a night out with the girls.” She looked thoughtful for a moment. “Actually, all that partying doesn’t do it for me anymore. Let’s just do a dinner.”

I smiled. “Yes, let’s arrange something soon.” She gave me a smile as she left my office, shutting the door behind her.

I worked a few more hours, well past after everyone left. It was nearing eight when I decided to finally wrap it up. I started closing things out when a knock came on my door before it opened. Claudia peered her head around the corner, and I froze. “What do you want? No, scratch that, what are you doing here?” I held up my hand. “Don’t answer, I’ll call security.”

“Just wait, okay?”

My hand hovered over the buttons, and I finally hit line nine for security.

“I just want to talk - woman to woman - and then I’ll leave.”

A voice came on the other end of the phone. “Mrs. Mandrake, is everything okay? Are you in need of assistance?”

I sighed. “No, sorry I misdialed.” I hung up, glaring at Claudia. “You have two minutes and then I will call them back.”

She stepped closer, and I stopped her. “You don’t need to come any closer. I can hear you from here.”

She took a deep breath. She looked nervous. “I know all of this can’t be easy for you.”

I cocked my head. “Which part? The part of you blatantly accusing my husband of physical abuse or creating a fake relationship in your head?”

“We did have something, Emmalin. He’s lying to you. Just like he lied to me. He fed me lies - said he wanted to be with me and I believed him. What we had was real. He deserves to pay. He shouldn’t be allowed to get away with it just because he got caught.”

I laughed. “So, just so we’re clear. You want him to pay for a fake affair. Again, something your delusional mind made up.” I crossed my arms. “How about we just pay you to go away and then we can call it good?”

She lightly laughed. “He said he wanted a family and that you couldn’t give him more children. He said he wanted someone who could fulfill his life with what he wanted.” I steeled at what she was saying. “He told me everything. The struggles you both had.”

She crossed her arms and gazed out the window. “Grayson is good at keeping things. Just like how he kept his sisters drug problems out of the media.” She turned toward me. “Could you imagine what would happen if everyone knew his sister is an addict? An addict that got her kids taken away from her, because she wasn’t fit to be a parent. She wasn’t stable enough to love her children, but had plenty of love for heroin.” My eyes narrowed. How the hell did she know all of that? “Goodness, can you imagine what her kids would think if their own mother didn’t love them?”

“Why can’t you just leave us alone? You and I both know you’re lying. If this is about money, just name your price and get the hell out of our lives.”

She sighed as if she didn’t care one bit of what I had to say. “Emmalin, you of all people should know what it’s like to be at the hands of an abuser, wouldn’t you say?” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

I felt the blood drain from my face. None of this was things she could’ve known. I kept my expression blank.

“He loves me, you know? He told me he did, and I love him.”

I rolled my eyes. “Your two minutes are up, you can go now.”

She nodded as she went for the door, but paused as she unbuttoned her coat and turned to face me. I froze. My mouth was dry.

“We will be a family. Feel free to request a paternity test,” she said while caressing her belly. Her belly that was clearly protruding. “But once this proves this is his baby, it’s all over for you. Then you’ll believe me.” With those last words, she turned and left, and I just stood there. She was pregnant. She was fucking pregnant.

A few seconds later my door opened again and Chace entered, followed by security. “Emmalin? You dialed security.” The guards with Chace started looking around the room, checking closets, and any other crevice. Seemingly satisfied, they gave Chace a nod. “What was she doing on this floor?” He began to shout at the guards. “There is no fucking reason for her to be on this floor.”

“I’m sorry, sir, she must’ve obtained access from someone else’s card. Chace walked up to them, seething. “Then have a fucking security guard follow her. Do you realize if Mr. Mandrake knew that woman was within ten feet of his wife, he would have your head? Do you?!”

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Chace pissed. Whenever he was pissed, he was always quite calm about it. After exchanging a few more words, the guard left, and Chace finally turned to me. He stared at me with a look of questioning on his face. I didn’t have the strength to say anything. I just got my stuff and left.

I drove in a complete fog. I just mindlessly drove, not even knowing where I was going. Chace drove close behind me, following me all around the city. I ignored Grayson’s calls that started to become repetitive. It was almost midnight when I finally pulled into the garage. Even then, I just sat there.

My door opened. Grayson stood there looking concerned as he reached over me, unbuckled my seatbelt, and guided me out the car. “Where the hell have you been? GPS had you all over the city. You should’ve been home hours ago.”

He continued his lecture as the elevator brought us to our condo.

“Emmalin! I’m talking to you!”

I walked over to the bar and made myself a drink. Bourbon. I hated bourbon. I swallowed it quickly and poured another. I was just about to take the shot when Grayson took it out of my hand. “What’s going on, Emmalin?”

“She knows things.”

He studied me. “Who?”

“Her!” I refused to say her name. “She knows things she shouldn’t know Grayson, how is that so?”

He frowned and reached for me, but I moved away from him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Emmalin.”

“She knows about your sister and her history. She knows that Abby and Noah were taken away because she lost parental rights.” I took a deep breath, feeling anxiety starting to set in. “She knows how I can probably never give you more children.” I shut my eyes to prepare myself for the next words out of my mouth. “She’s…she’s pregnant.”

Grayson’s eyes grew wide. He didn’t wait for me to finish as he dialed his lawyers on the phone, screaming at them to come over. He was still yelling at them as he pushed the button for them to come up.

I shut my eyes. “Just tell me. Please Grayson, just tell me. Tell me you didn’t have sex with her.” I started tearing up. “Tell me, please. Tell me that’s not your baby…” my voice cracked at the last part. “Think Grayson. You said you don’t remember much after you went to her room, but think Grayson…think. Could you have done it?”

His eyes shot to mine. “Emmalin, I already told you-”

We were interrupted as Francisco and Syed walked in. “They’re going to hold a press conference. This information just came over an hour ago.” Francisco sat as he pulled out his laptop, and after a few keystrokes, he showed Grayson the screen.

“What are we looking at?”

Francisco gave a grim expression. “They’re spotlighting your family. Your sister’s drug use and the children being removed from their home. They’re going to paint her as a drug addict and unfit mother.”

“That’s fucking ludicrous and you know it. That information was sealed, so how the fuck did they get it?”

Francisco sighed. “With enough money, anyone can be persuaded.” He turned back to his screen. “Your um…” he glanced up at me before speaking. “Your sexual history and tendencies will in fact confirm the abuse.” He typed on the screen again. “They want an investigation into why Mrs. Mandrake was close to the person who murdered her stepfather.”

Everything became white noise as I tuned everyone out. I thought back to when I saw Claudia earlier. She was caressing her baby bump. She was a psycho stalker who wanted one thing in trade for everything else.

“I want a paternity test. Now!”

I jumped at Grayson’s voice. He turned to me. “I will do whatever it takes to prove that baby isn’t mine and that I did not have sex with her!” I slowly nodded. He turned to Francisco. “I want it done. Now. I’m done with this fucking game. Arrange it and have the results rushed.” He nodded pulling out his phone.

“I’ll call her lawyer and have everything set up.” They all left, and Grayson took a few deep breaths to calm himself. He finally came over to me, grasping the sides of my face in both hands. “We’ll prove it. I swear to you, we will prove it.”

I nodded so he knew I believed him. I nodded to tell myself to believe him.