Total pages in book: 166
Estimated words: 157273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Every head swung toward Anne.
“Um . . .” A set of lines appeared between her brows. “In Massachusetts? I’m a little out of practice, but as far as I know, there’s no paternity registry here. If the father didn’t know about Juniper’s birth, and then established paternity, he could file a suit. What Lina did is technically fraudulent. Everett had no right to sign as Juniper’s father.”
My throat spasmed. Then Caroline had every right to be afraid. “Okay, but if Lina could keep Juniper from searching for her family, no one would ever know about Everett. No one would file a suit. And after she’s eighteen, no one’s coming for custody either.”
“Both of those make sense,” Kenna agreed. “What could possibly be her third reason for not wanting Juniper to find you?”
My heart sank, and I opened my mouth once, then twice, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it, to voice the lowest possible opinion I’d ever had about my sister’s actions.
“Allie?” Anne prodded, taking my hand.
I dragged my gaze up to the only person in this room who might not dismiss my thought process just because she loved Lina, the only person who might actually agree because she thoroughly understood the variable in this equation—Mom.
Eloise arched a single brow as I looked over at her, then narrowed her eyes like she was thinking, and wasn’t sure she liked the direction of her thoughts. “Say it,” she commanded. “I’m not standing around in a broom closet for you to not say what you’re thinking, Alessandra.”
If I did, I could never take it back, but if I didn’t, there was a very real chance I was leaving Juniper vulnerable. I’m sorry, Lina.
“I think she used Juniper as leverage.” The words tripped over themselves on their way out of my mouth.
Kenna’s eyebrows shot up.
Anne gasped and pulled her hand from mine. “She wouldn’t.”
Eloise turned a knowing look on Anne. “For all of Lina’s wonderful qualities, are you forgetting whose daughter she is?”
Anne paled, and she lifted her hand to her stomach. “I think I might be sick.”
“Mom knew,” I reminded her gently. “Mom orchestrated Everett. It wasn’t just Lina making that list. It was our mother. I think Lina did her best to protect Juniper. She put her with a family in which two men we loved were raised. She knew she’d be safe. She might not have gotten along with Caroline, but she had to have known what a protective mom she’d be. She definitely knew that Gavin and Hudson would watch out for her, but, Anne . . . I’m pretty damned sure she also used Juniper’s existence to her advantage.” My heart sank as I put the most plausible pieces together. “And I don’t think she’s the only one.”
Anne paled. “You know who her father is, don’t you?” She searched my eyes. “It’s Jacob, isn’t it? He was with Lina in San Francisco, and his mother sits on the board out there. She wouldn’t want anything to jeopardize his career.”
“Are you still certified to practice in Massachusetts?” I asked, ignoring her question.
“Yes.” Her forehead crinkled. “Why?”
My phone vibrated in my back pocket. “Because we have to do what Lina wouldn’t and protect Juniper legally.” I pulled out my phone and opened the text.
Reagan: You were Amazing. You’re coming to the yacht for the reception, right?
“We need Jacob to sign a termination of parental rights,” Anne said. “A handful of NDAs wouldn’t hurt to help convince him.”
“And a medical history form,” Kenna added.
“Good idea.” Anne nodded.
“Leave the father’s name blank,” I said to Anne. “Just in case.”
She nodded. “All right. I’ll get them done this afternoon as long as Eloise doesn’t mind taking over as emcee.”
“Of course. I never turn down a microphone.” Eloise smiled. “And I’d do just about anything to get out of this closet.”
We filed out as nonchalantly as four grown women could when exiting a broom closet.
Anne and Kenna split off toward the parking lot and Eloise headed toward the stage as I typed out a reply to Reagan.
Alessandra: Thank you! I’ll see you on board.
Then I swiped to Hudson’s thread and sent a text.
Allie: Mind being my date tonight?
Blackmail required backup.
He was quick to reply.
Hudson: Every night is my preference.
“Allie,” Eloise called out, and my head shot up to find her watching me. “I don’t think you’re wrong, which could be dangerous. I also think you need to put your eyes on your sister.”
I nodded without needing to ask which one.
I found her within thirty minutes, but let her sulk another few hours before heading upstairs.
“Stop crying and get up,” I ordered Eva, peering down at where she’d curled herself into a ball in the bottom of Lina’s closet.
“How did you know I was here?” Eva dragged the forearm of her crimson blouse over her splotchy face.