Barbara Dunlop - Christmas Secrets

Unfortunately, it then came to light that their closest competitor had not grounded their Boonsomes, and Amber’s decision had, at least in the short term, put Coast Eagle at a competitive disadvantage. The lawyers successfully framed her decision as emotional and even brought Cole into the equation, accusing Amber of taking advice from a competitor on a confidential corporate matter.

It wasn’t going well for Amber’s side.

“You were ten years older than your stepsister?” the lawyer then asked her.

The question obviously surprised Amber, and it seemed to take her a moment to regroup. “Yes.”

“And you left home when she was eight years old?”

“I did.”

“How often did you see her after that?”

“Not often.”

“Once a week, once a month, once a year?”

“Maybe once a year,” Amber admitted, causing a small flurry of whispers in the courtroom.

“Until you introduced her to Samuel Henderson.”

“Yes,” said Amber.

“And why did you introduce them to each other?”

“Coco was in town. When I mentioned the corporate Christmas party at Coast Eagle, she asked to go with me.”

“She asked to go with you?”

“Coco enjoyed parties.”

“Yes, I think we’ve established that already.”

“Objection,” said Destiny.

“I withdraw the comment,” said the lawyer. “After she began dating Samuel Henderson, would you say you and your stepsister grew closer?”

“We did.”

“And you saw each other how often then?”

“A couple of times a month. She was busy. And she was newly married. And she had a lot of obligations.”

Cole wanted to tell Amber to stop talking. She was sounding defensive, as if she was embarrassed that they weren’t closer.

“Tell me, Ms. Welsley, how did Coco feel about her baby?”

“She loved Zachary very much.”

“As mothers do.”

Amber didn’t answer.

Cole applauded that decision.

“What about before he was born?”

She went still, and her face paled a shade. “I don’t understand.”

“I don’t like this,” Cole muttered beneath his breath. Something was clearly wrong.

“Before Zachary was born. How did Coco feel about being pregnant?”

“She was healthy. There were no particular problems, morning sickness or anything.”

“I’m not talking about her physical health, Ms. Welsley. I’m talking about her emotional health.”

Again, Amber stayed silent.

“Was your stepsister happy to be pregnant with Zachary?”

Cole got a cold feeling in the pit of his stomach.

“She was surprised,” said Amber. “She hadn’t planned on it happening so soon.”

“Surprised or upset?”

Amber paused. “She was upset at first.”

“Upset enough to get an abortion?”

Amber’s hesitation said it all.

“Damn it,” Cole ground out.

“She didn’t get an abortion,” said Amber.

“Did she want an abortion?”

“Objection,” said Destiny.

“I’ll rephrase,” said the lawyer. “Did she ever tell you she wanted an abortion?”

The silence was unfortunately long.

“Once,” Amber admitted.

“Did you talk her out of getting an abortion?”

“I gave her my opinion.”

“Which was?”

“That babies were always good news. And that she was going to be a wonderful mother.”

“Is it fair to say you changed her mind?”

Amber didn’t answer.

“Ms. Welsley? Is it fair to say you changed your stepsister’s mind, talked her out of getting the abortion she desired?”

“She wasn’t serious,” said Amber. “She was upset. She was newly married, and being pregnant came as a shock to her.”

“Did she make an appointment at an abortion clinic?”

“No.”

The lawyer waited.

“She didn’t.”

“Perhaps not to the best of your knowledge. But I can tell you she did make an appointment at an abortion clinic.”

A collective gasp went up in the gallery, followed by whispered comments.

The judge pounded his gavel, and the room returned to quiet.

The lawyer returned to his table, lifting a piece of paper with a flourish. “I have here a copy of an appointment card for Coco Henderson for the Women’s Central Health Clinic.”

“Where did you get that?”

“From the Women’s Central Health Clinic.”

“Coco obviously did not have an abortion.”

“Because you talked her out of it. Like so many of your stepsister’s childish, ill-informed impulses, had you not been there to persuade her otherwise, the consequences would have been catastrophic. She would have had an abortion, and Zachary would never have been born.”

The sick feeling of defeat was written across Amber’s face. Cole fought an urge to go to her. He wanted to pull her into his arms and tell her everything was going to be okay. But he couldn’t. And it wasn’t.

“That was a body blow,” said Luca.

There was nothing Destiny could do to counter the revelations. Both lawyers walked through closing arguments, but there wasn’t a single person in the room who trusted Coco’s judgment, nor was there anyone who truly believed she had her son’s best interests at heart.

Samuel had been shown to be a loving father, thrilled from minute one that they were expecting a baby. Coco looked selfish and petulant, her intelligence and judgment suspect.

Destiny sat down and put an arm around Amber’s shoulders.

“You have to do it,” Luca whispered.

“Do what?”

“Tell them who you are.”

Cole shot Luca a look of astonishment. “What?”

“Now. Right now. Put in a bid for custody. You’re a blood relative.”

“Custody?” Had Luca lost his mind?

“At the very least, it’ll throw a wrench in it, slow things down. If you don’t, if the judge rules on this—and it looks like he’s about to rule—then it’s done.”

Adrenaline shot into Cole’s system, and his stomach clenched. How could he do it? How could he not?

“Ms. Welsley,” said the judge, “I have no doubt as to the love you feel for Zachary. However—”

“Do it!” Luca hissed.

Cole shot to his feet. “Your Honor.”

The judge drew back in obvious shock. “You’re out of order, sir.”

“Go, go, go,” said Luca.

Cole moved into the aisle and walked forward.

Amber and Destiny both turned to stare. But he didn’t dare look at them.

“Bailiff,” called the judge.

Cole knew he had only seconds. “My name is Cole Parker Henderson. I’m Samuel Henderson’s son.”

Amber felt her world dissolve beneath her.

Cole continued walking to the front of the courtroom. He continued talking. He didn’t even bother to look her way.

“I want to petition the court for custody of my half brother,” his voice boomed.

“He’s a competitor,” Roth cried out, coming to his feet.

“Order,” called the judge, bringing down his gavel.

The bailiff seemed uncertain of what to do.

Destiny whispered in an undertone, “What the—?”

“I’m such an idiot,” said Amber.

“Can it possibly be true?”

Cole came to a stop at the little gateway.

Amber took in Cole’s expression. “That’s no bluff.”

He was firm and resolute. She realized he had to have planned this all along. And she’d let him in. She’d trusted him. She’d armed him with all kinds of information. She’d left him alone in the penthouse, alone with Zachary.

“This is preposterous,” said Roth. “It’s a stalling tactic.”