"Darrell actually already let me go. These are the records I compiled before I left."
"Darrell plays dumb, but he's sharper than he looks. After working with him for years, I've learned to read him. He'll probably come after you next. Be careful."
Hudson Dickerson's words caught me off guard, though the more I thought about it, the less surprising it was. Sophie Whitney was my best friend. If my marriage stayed intact, keeping Hudson on as company counsel made perfect sense. But if Darrell and I divorced, there was no way Naomi would let him stay.
"I'll make up for what you lost. From now on, you're handling my divorce case."
Hudson smiled. "The case, absolutely. But don't worry about compensating me. Sophie doesn't know I was fired yet. Don't tell her. I'm afraid she'll tear Darrell apart."
Knowing Sophie's temper, that was a real possibility. I nodded.
Then something Darrell had said at the elevator doors came back to me.
"Has Darrell ever drawn up a will?"
The coffee shop was busy, people coming and going. Not exactly the best place to discuss something like this.
The surprise on Hudson's face told me everything. He didn't know.
"We can talk about that later. For now, just draft me a divorce agreement. Something I can have ready."
"If he did make a will, how would that affect me? After the divorce, how would assets be divided? If I use this pregnancy as leverage, could I get a larger share? And the three hundred thousand dollars I put up when Shuwell Corp was founded needs to be accounted for too."
I laid everything out in one breath. Hudson took careful notes on every point.
This war was about to begin. When I'd first held that pregnancy report, I thought today would be a day of celebration.
Instead, it had become the opening move.
After parting ways with Hudson, I stopped by the grocery store and loaded up on ingredients.
I was going to welcome Darrell home with a lavish dinner.
When I heard his car pull into the driveway, I settled onto the couch and placed the prenatal report beside me.
The moment Darrell walked through the door, I rearranged my expression and rushed toward him.
"You're home! I have great news."
"Oh? I actually have something to tell you too."
I blinked up at him. I knew exactly what he was going to say. He had no idea what I was about to say.
"You first," I said, keeping my voice light.
Darrell gave me a gentlemanly smile. "Ladies first."
Fine. Why bother being polite? I carefully pulled out the prenatal report and held it up in front of his face.
"We're having a baby."
I knew full well Darrell didn't want this child. But I needed to throw a wrench in his plans.
The excitement that had been on his face a moment ago froze solid.
A good ten seconds passed before he managed to force the corners of his mouth upward. "Really? We're... having a baby?"
I watched beads of sweat slowly form along his hairline. A telltale sign of nerves.
"Honey, are you so happy you're in shock?" I teased, grinning wide.
Darrell let out a hollow laugh. My news had clearly derailed whatever script he'd rehearsed.
Then his phone buzzed with a notification. He glanced down, a flicker of panic crossing his face. I was close enough to see the screen. The message was from Naomi.
Probably asking if he'd told me yet.
Darrell drew a long breath, as if steeling himself for something.
I seized the moment. "Didn't you say you had something to tell me too?"
His lips curved into a stiff half-smile, and his words came out halting. "Right. I... also have news."
He fumbled in his pocket for what felt like forever before finally producing a crumpled diagnosis report.
I put on my most expectant face and waited for him to speak.
