192 Not Asking Permission
192 Not Asking Permission
(Jayden)
The next morning, I'm sitting in a medical room in a high security facility.
Ashlyn is sitting across from me, her face unreadable. Two doctors are present, one of them holding a folder with the results. I've never felt more on edge.
The doctor finally speaks, his voice professional and detached. "Mr. Brennan, Ashlyn, after conducting a full examination and multiple tests, we can confirm that there is indeed a baby."
Ashlyn nods.
Okay then.
My voice steady. I know I need the details. "How? Ashlyn showed signs of miscarrying before according to her and the previous medical reports, and then she threw herself down the stairs trying to set Winona up. How is this possible?"
The doctor flips through his notes. "It's rare, but not impossible. Ashlyn was carrying twins. She lost one, but the other fetus survived. The remaining baby appears to be healthy against all odds."
I'm floored. Twins. I glance at Ashlyn, but she's staring at the floor.
"Well," I start, my voice firm, "if that's the case, I need to make something clear. I'll be going for full custody of this child, and I'm legally removing your parental rights, Ashlyn."
She looks at me.
This is what you asked for before, and I'm honoring that request. But it won't be Winona adopting the baby. I'll be in charge as the father."
Ashlyn's eyes go wide with shock. "No. I don't want your mother getting near the baby."Têxt belongs to .
I nod. "You are not in a place to have any influence on my decision or bargain. You said it yourself-you can't raise a baby in here. You never wanted a kid. Not really. That was purely a trap for me."
"I don't want to be a mother, no. But I want to know this child, who's survived against all odds, is not controlled and brought up through the hell that is Judy Brennan."
"I'm cutting Mother
out of my life, and that includes my children's lives. Legally."
Ashlyn's face pales, and I can see the fear creeping in. Jayden, please, You'll make her angry. Judy won't stop. She'll find a way to get to you, to get to the baby.
I stand up, my resolve solid. "No. I'm done being manipulated. This baby is going to have a good life, and
I'll make sure of it."
"Judy won't pay any attention to what the courts say."
I stand up and thump my hand on the desk. "But she will pay attention to me." I stare at Ashlyn and she shrinks before my eyes.
"You'll be hearing from my lawyers in due course. I'm happy to pay for lawyers for you, if you need."
192 Not Asking Permission
"No. I won't fight you, Jayden. You just keep the baby safe once it's born."
"You keep the baby safe until then. I've stopped Judy being able to contact you while you are pregnant, in the best interests of the child. We'll talk again when we make a decision about the birthing process and anything you need, you tell them to contact me." "Okay." Ashlyn gives a small smile, but it's a genuine one.
"You'll be safe, Ashlyn. I'll see to it."
As I leave the room, I feel energized. This is my life, and I have control.
I own my world, and I'm doing it on my terms.
I rub my hand; my knuckles are swollen and sore. Worth it. Steve won't be a problem ever again for
Winona.
I'm seeing to that as well.
My phone buzzes and I take the call. "Lance. Hey, what's up?"
"Ahhhh, board meeting?"
"Oh shit. Fuck. Isn't that Tuesday?"
"Today is Tuesday."
"I had a lot going on. Hold them for me. I'm fifteen minutes away."" "They look pissed."
"Lance, come on. Do your thing, just like old times. You got this."
"What's got you all 'Mr. Bigshot' again? Did you and Winona do it?"
"Don't talk about Winona like that."
"Oh, hey. Right. Sorry. How is she anyway? It's been forever."
"We'll go to the club soon."
"Really? I thought you were too old and responsible for clubbing now."
"Maybe I've had a mid-life regression."
"Seriously? What has gotten into you? You sound like... well... like old Jayden."
"It's asshole 2.0."
""What?"
"Just go keep the stuffed shirts happy, will ya? We'll talk later."
"Fine."
The call is disconnected. Now I'm losing what day it is. Board meetings and that company aren't on my top priority list lately.
192 Not Asking Permission
"No. I won't fight you, Jayden. You just keep the baby safe once it's born."
"You keep the baby safe until then. I've stopped Judy being able to contact you while you are pregnant, in the best interests of the child. We'll talk again when we make a decision about the birthing process and anything you need, you tell them to contact me." "Okay." Ashlyn gives a small smile, but it's a genuine one.
"You'll be safe, Ashlyn. I'll see to it."
As I leave the room, I feel energized. This is my life, and I have control.
I own my world, and I'm doing it on my terms.
I rub my hand; my knuckles are swollen and sore. Worth it. Steve won't be a problem ever again for Winona.
I'm seeing to that as well.
My phone buzzes and I take the call. "Lance. Hey, what's up?"
"Ahhhh, board meeting?"
"Oh shit. Fuck. Isn't that Tuesday?"
"Today is Tuesday."
"I had a lot going on. Hold them for me. I'm fifteen minutes away."
"They look pissed."
"Lance, come on. Do your thing, just like old times. You got this."
"What's got you all 'Mr. Bigshot' again? Did you and Winona do it?"
"Don't talk about Winona like that."
"Oh, hey. Right. Sorry. How is she anyway? It's been forever."
"We'll go to the club soon."
"Really? I thought you were too old and responsible for clubbing now."
"Maybe I've had a mid-life regression."
"Seriously? What has gotten into you? You sound like... well... like old Jayden."
"It's asshole 2.0."
"What?"
"Just go keep the stuffed shirts happy, will ya? We'll talk later."
"Fine."
The call is disconnected. Now I'm losing what day it is. Board meetings and that company aren't on my top priority list lately.
192 Not Asking Permission
In fact, it's my company in name and I'm the majority shareholder, but it's not me. It's Greg Brennan. The billionaire Brennan legacy that has made my life torture.
I hate it.
I'm ready to sell my shares. I'm going to do just that. My personal investments have made a profit and I don't need the Brennan billions to be a billionaire, not anymore.
I like real estate. Traveling, buying, selling, schmoozing the crowd. It's time for a new Brennan legacy. Something I'm proud to hand to my kids.
Kids. I'm going to be a dad again. This time I'll have all of the experiences, I won't miss the first three years of this baby growing up. I hope Winona wants to make a family with me, with us.
But even if she chooses not to marry me. I'll live with it.
I'll still love her and we'll still make a family unit, but I'll move on and I'll let her move on too.
My life didn't have a father figure. No one I can look back on and like. But my kids, my kids will. Maybe I didn't have a dedicated father who loved me in the traditional way, but I do have a lot of male role models. I'm taking the bits I like from each one and using that.
Greg was an amazingly astute and ruthless businessman. I learned a lot from him. Gus, I've met since, my actual father and he's complex and sure of himself. I'm taking that leaf out of his book.
The rest is me. Jayden. The man I was born to be but wasn't allowed to be.
I'm not asking for permission now.
103 Devi On My Doorstep
193 Devil On My Doorstep