The Blindman's Wife Read online

  “That’s bullshit he didn’t get it from me.”

  “For your information Zola and I have been checked out and we are fine, maybe you should go get checked. He could have gotten this from you,” Zora said.

  “It doesn’t matter anyway, when this is all done he will be coming to live with me.”

  “Over my dead body will you get your hands on my grandson.”

  “Come on Miss Kurtis, don’t make this harder than it have to be. You and Zola had him for three years, now it’s my turn. I don’t want to fight but I will if I have to. I do have money to back it up and there’s always someone for sale,” Nick threatened.

  “You think this is a game? That threatening us will make us hand over Wyn? Think again, no judge will give you custody,” Zora spat.

  Nick laughed, “Are you sure about that? Not only do I have money at my disposal that I know you both don’t have. I am married to a woman who is ready to be a good mother to my son. I will be back for my son make no mistake,” he said and walked out the room.

  “Pompous bastard, don’t mind him Zora, he can’t win, not if he signed over his rights to Azolah,” Liam said.

  “I wish I could believe you, he’s right we can’t go up against his family they have money and power.”

  He hated the sound of defeat in her voice. He didn’t want to know how Azolah was going to react when she heard the news. He was determined to make sure the prick didn’t get his hands on Wyn. “Don’t worry Zora, he is not going to win if I have anything to say about it,” Liam promised.

  “Thank you Liam, but I don’t see what else you could do. If Nick thinks he could win then he knows something we don’t. I am sure he has consulted a lawyer or he wouldn’t have been this cocky.”

  “Zora, there is always a way. I’ll have my attorneys look into it,” he promised.

  “Why are you doing this?” Zora asked curiously.

  He paused at her question. It should have been easy to answer, but to be honest, he

  couldn’t think of a simple answer. His sharp tongue executive assistant had gotten under his skin, more embedded than he would have liked. That hug didn’t help matters; he didn’t know why he had reached to comfort her, but he’d had the urge to do whatever meant to make her happy. He may not be able to see her smile but something told him when she did the room would light up.

  The thought of her in pain ate him up inside. It was ridiculous. He couldn’t tell the woman he lusted after her daughter or she had him walking around in constant arousal.

  “I just want to help I don’t like the way he was acting.”

  “We need to think of something fast before Nick gets his hands on my grandson. I can’t allow him to use that little boy against my daughter; he is her only weakness.”

  “What?” asked the strangled whisper.

  Everyone turned to her and from the guilty look on her mother’s face; Zola knew it was a conversation she wasn’t meant to hear.

  “Sweetheart,” her mother said, trying to back peddle.

  “No lies Mum; I need the truth. Why would you think Nick would want my son?”

  “Because I have rights too Zoë,” came a voice from behind her.

  She turned slowly not trusting her ears. “Nick?” she whispered.

  “Yeah it’s me,” he said smiling at her.

  “W-what are you doing here?” she asked in disbelief.

  “As I told your mother, I am here for the Kid. I heard he was sick. I hope he gets better soon I can’t stand being around sniveling brats.”

  The way he referred to her child had her straightening her spine. Her hand itched to slap him “You shouldn’t have bothered; this has nothing to do with you. You have no right to my son, not since before he was born.”

  “That’s not what my lawyer said.”

  “You signed those papers Nick, no one forced you. You couldn’t get away fast enough from us to save your sorry self. Go back to where you came from you are not needed or wanted here.” She had wondered over the years what would happen if they met again. Most of her scenarios always ended with her punching him in that pretty face of his.

  “Not a chance sweetheart, you had three years of the kids life now it’s my turn. I was young and naïve when I signed those papers.”

  “You were twenty-two, old enough to know what you were doing. Besides no court would overlook those papers,” she said confidently.

  “Want to bet? I’m married Zola, with a respectable wife and a place of my own to call home. What about you? You can’t say the same. You’re a single mother struggling to make ends meet. I always win; you should know that by now Zola.”

  She was shaking she couldn’t help it. What if what he said is true? That meant she would lose custody of her son. “No,” she said in a strangled voice.

  “Yes,” he said smiling viciously. “My wife and I are prepared to give our son a home with all the trimmings. It’s more than you are offering him now. You could give in now and come to terms with it, or you could go to court. You don’t want to fight me in court Zola; you don’t have the resources to do so.”

  He was right she didn’t have the resources to go to court, and knowing him Nick would drag things out as much as he could. “No,” she sobbed. “You are not taking my son away from me.”

  “What are you going to do Zola, fight me?” he sneered.

  “More than that, not only are we going to fight you; we are going to win. Azolah and I are engaged to be married,” Liam said from where he was sitting.

  She had forgotten he was in the room with all that was going on. She turned and looked at him mouth agape. She looked at her mother who was equally shocked. Surely, she hadn’t heard him correctly. The room was spinning; everything and everyone around her was off kilter. Breathe she commanded herself.

  That bombshell was a ten on the Richter scale. What the hell had he just done? He had a feeling he was going to pay for his impulsive act later. He couldn’t sit by and let that dick threatened the one thing he knew Zola held dear.

  “Come on over here and sit with me darling, and close your mouth I know you wanted to wait until after Wyn’s surgery, but I couldn’t keep it a secret anymore,” he said playing the doting fiancé as he tried not to think too much about his announcement. He knew she had to be shock,he know he was. He couldn’t bear one more minute listening to the bastard taunting her by using her son.

  Liam had to do something since Zola seemed to be out of her depth and in obvious shock. The dick seemed to take pleasure in hurting her, pouncing on her weaknesses and he was sure the other man knew her inner fear; after all, he was the father of her son. What she saw in him he couldn’t comprehend. At least, she didn’t sound as if she was still in love with the bastard.

  “Come on sweetheart, get a load off those feet of yours,” he coaxed holding his breath until he heard her coming to sit in the seat beside him. He relaxed when she sat even if she held herself stiff. He pulled her closer to him massaging her tense shoulders.

  “You can’t be serious,” Nick, sputtered.

  “Like a heart attack,” Liam said enjoying throwing the other man off guard.

  He heard heavy footsteps leave the room and smiled.

  “Why are you doing this?” she asked so only he could hear.

  “Because Azolah, you need my help whether you like to admit it or not if you want to keep custody of Wyn.”

  “I don’t need your help, I’ve been taking care if my son for three years.”

  “Azolah, don’t be foolish, accept my help.”

  “Hell will have to freeze over before I agree to marry you,” she said walking away from him.

  ***

  “You asked her to marry you?” Mark sputtered.

  “Yeah, I just said so didn’t I?” Liam snapped. He knew how Mark felt; he had felt the same way since the scene at the hospital two weeks ago. He hadn’t spoken or seen her since, but he knew her son was coming home
today from his house staff gossip.

  “Why? It’s not like she’s your type.” Mark said.

  “You keep saying that. What’s my type and why isn’t she mine, is it because she’s black? And why can’t I marry any woman I want?” He was more defensive than usual. He knew it was because he had been waiting the last two weeks impatiently to hear her answer. He didn’t know why it mattered when his proposal if you could call it that, was one of impulse.

  “No, not because she is black, you can marry any woman of your choosing. They’d line up to marry you but let’s be realistic here. You don’t love her; you think she has too much mouth. She’s not one of those long legged skinny beauties you always have hanging around. She’s nothing like Maddy, and I’m not even sure she likes you. Would you like me to go on?” He asked sounding only happy to oblige.

  “No! And love has nothing to do with it, people marry for less. And I am not looking to replace my dead fiancée. I thought you said she’s cute?”

  “Yes that she is. You’re into tall, leggy, and gorgeous. Not short, cute, and fragile.”

  “You make me out to sound like some pompous ass. Did I ever say I am only into tall and leggy?” He asked running his fingers through his short hair.

  “No but actions speak louder than words,” his friend laughed.

  “There isn’t any rule against me marrying her. You of all people keep telling me I needed to move on since the accident. Well, here I am moving on.”

  “Yes move on as in taking the next step, not jumping into it head first. Haven’t you ever heard the saying don’t put all your eggs in one basket?”

  “I am going to marry her Mark, it’s just a matter of time before she comes begging.” Liam said with finality.

  “You’re that sure she will? I thought you two couldn’t stand each other.”

  “We can’t, but that’s not relevant.”

  Mark laughed, “Then why are you so hell-bent on marrying a woman who thinks you’re the big bad wolf?” his friend asked, sounding more intrigued by the minute. Liam knew Mark's questions were just to irritate him, and it was working.

  “I just want too okay?” he snapped remembering the little boy’s words to his mother. He would have cut his losses if it was someone else but for some reason, he was more determined than ever to marry the little spitfire. Was it because no one has ever said no to him before? Well, not when it came to a woman anyway. Every time the phone rang, he thought it was her calling to say yes.

  “What’s in it for you?” His friend asked interrupting his reverie.

  He thought about it for a few minutes. What did he want out of this union? He had tried to justify his offer by saying it was for her benefit, but was it? He could have hired the best lawyers in the province and know a few judges he could call upon for favours, but instead he had opted for this path, why? When someone comes up with the answer, he hoped they would clue him in.

  “Nothing is in it for me, I’m just helping her out of a difficult situation,” he said not sounding convincing, even to his ears.

  “You can give her money to fix whatever problem she has, why get involved personally?” Mark persisted.

  Liam told him what happened at the hospital and the reason for his proposal.

  “I could see why you would want to help, but marriage? There has to be another way.” Mark said still obviously not seeing the reason behind the proposal.

  “No, no other way,” he said with finality.

  “Okay buddy, but you do realize she said no right?”

  “Yes, but she will change her mind,” he said confidently.

  “If you say so, you realize by marrying her she comes with a son and an invalid mother?”

  “Thanks for your concern Mark, but I know what I am doing and the ramifications. I am a big boy; I can handle it.”

  His friend laughed. “This isn’t like you, Liam; you are way over your head here.”

  “Why because I am blind?” he asked irritated.

  “Hell no man, whether you like to admit it or not, you are emotionally invested in this girl. There is something about her that makes you come alive, I see it when the two of you are together, and I am sure everyone else does too. I am not saying it’s a bad thing, just take things slow. That’s all I am saying, or you will end up getting hurt.”

  “That’s ridiculous, you think Azolah is going to hurt me?” he asked amused.

  “No Liam, I think you are setting yourself up to get hurt. I don’t think she would hurt you intentionally, but I’m not sure she knows you have romantic feelings for her either.”

  “This is a business transaction Mark, no feelings involved to get hurt. Thanks for the concern I appreciate you having my back.”

  “Okay I just wanted to make sure all your bases were covered. You’re getting a prenup right?”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “Liam don’t be stupid and not have one drawn up. You’ve known this girl less than a month. ”

  “I’ll think about it, Mark. I am sure Zola and I could come to an agreement.” And pigs would fly, he thought; the woman was as stubborn as a mule.

  “I can see we’re not getting anywhere. I am going; just don’t do anything you’ll live to regret.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Zola was happy to have her son settled in his bed again. The past two weeks had been trying with Wyn’s recovery and Nick’s looming threats. She sat down and looked at her son’s angelic face as she caressed his soft cheeks with her finger. She couldn’t lose him, she had just got over a huddle with his surgery and his recovery was going well, now she had to deal with the man who had fathered him. She didn’t think Nick was serious with his threats until he had come by the hospital with a notice summoning her to court in a month’s time for a hearing. He was going to take her baby away from her, and she couldn’t do anything about it, she felt frustrated as the tears escaped her.

  She had weighed her options and accepting Liam’s offer was the best chance of keeping her son. She hoped she hadn’t missed the opportunity by telling him no after Nick had left.

  She blanched. She told him hell would freeze over before she decided to take him up on his offer. How could she face him much less beg for his help after the way she acted? She doubted he would still have the offer out on the table after her outburst. He wasn’t a man without a plan so what did he want from her in return? She couldn’t see him doing it out of the goodness of his heart. Didn’t she say she would sell her soul to the devil if it meant saving her son? Well, the devil made her an offer.

  Inhaling deeply, she got up and looked at her son. She would do anything for him even if it meant shackling herself to Liam Bradford. She wondered if she was being unfair to him. He didn’t have to offer his help in the first place, and he had been nice to her and her family during the last two weeks while Wyn was in the hospital. Maybe he wasn’t looking for anything from her in return and was just being the man his mother said he were before the accident.

  She went to the living room where her mother was sitting reading the day’s paper. When she entered, her mum looked up and smiled.

  “Hi honey, want something to eat?”

  Zola shook her head no, “Mum I need to ask you a question.”

  “Always sweetie, it sounds serious you know you can tell me anything.”

  “I know. You were always there for me. You know about the letter Nick brought yesterday about--”

  “Yes, we’ll figure it out, baby.

  “No mum we won’t. Not this time. We don’t have the money. I am thinking about accepting Mr. Bradford’s offer. I just don’t know what he wants in return. What do you think, should I marry him?”

  “Oh baby, I can’t answer that for you. I’ve seen the two of you together at the hospital and it makes me wonder if there is something going on between the two of you.”

  “No there isn’t,” she said quickly.

  He mother looked at h
er with compassion, “are you sure about that?”

  “Yes mum, believe me when I say nothing is going on between me and Mr. Bradford.”

  “Alright, you are a grown woman Zola and I trust you and your judgment. What is your gut telling you?”

  “That he is my only hope of keeping my son,” she whispered softly.

  Her mother sighed, “I was afraid of that, he has all the resources we need to win, but I also want you to be happy. I don’t know what he wants in return maybe nothing, but you won’t know until you ask him. I don’t want you to go into something you would regret because you are desperate. There has to be another way.”

  “There isn’t Mum, not this time,” she cried.

  “Come here, shh. You seemed to have already made up your mind. I just want you to know that I’m always here for you no matter what you decide,” her mother said hugging her close.

  Zola nodded; she needed to get this over with. “Okay I am going to the main house could you watch Wyn for me?” she asked dreading the meeting ahead.

  Her mother nodded.

  She wasn’t sure the road she was walking towards was going to be pleasant.

  ***

  Liam had his eyes closed and was thinking about the past couple of weeks when a knock came at his office door.

  “Come in,” he said distractedly. He knew before she spoke who it was. Her scent alone made her presence known. He would make sure to keep her perfume in stock when they got married.

  “I was wondering if I can have a word with you, Mr. Bradford,” Zola said nervously.

  He nodded, “Sit, how is Wyn doing? You and your mother must be tired.”

  “Good, thank you for everything, we got home a while ago.”

  “Shouldn’t you be home with him? I have given you the time off.”

  “Yes I will, I just want…I, you see the thing is. I mean I was wondering…. well...”

  “What is it?” He prodded.

  “I was wondering if your offer is still open,” She said in a rush.