Chapter 17
Adam sat behind his desk, tapping a pen against the polished wood surface, his jaw clenched tight.
His patience was running thin. The room was silent except for the faint ticking of the wall clock, each tick amplifying his frustration.
Where was Eric? He glanced at the papers scattered across his desk—the divorce agreement staring back at him like a taunt.
The door creaked open, and his lawyer, Mr. Eric, finally entered, his expression apologetic. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Adam,” he said, adjusting his tie as he set his briefcase down.
“You’re late,” Adam snapped, his voice sharper than intended.
Eric raised a hand in apology. “I know, I know. Traffic was worse than expected.”
Adam leaned forward, his elbows on the desk. “Let’s get to it. What can I do to stop this divorce?”
Grayson sighed, pulling out a stack of papers from his briefcase. “To be honest, it’s complicated. You already signed the agreement. That’s a legally binding document, Adam.”
“I know that,” Adam snapped again, running a hand through his hair. “I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t think it was legal.”
Eric studied him for a moment before replying. “The only way to avoid the divorce is if Sophie agrees to withdraw it. Otherwise, the process will move forward, and there’s little you can do to stop it.”
Adam’s fists tightened. “There has to be another way—something that doesn’t involve her.”
The lawyer shook his head. “The law is clear on this. Divorce is a mutual agreement, but if one party refuses to contest it, it will still go through. You’d have to convince Sophie to change her mind.”
Adam slumped back in his chair, defeated. “That’s impossible,” he muttered under his breath. “She won’t even look at me, let alone listen to me.”
There was a moment of silence before Eric hesitated. “Adam, is there something else going on here? Something you’re not telling me?”
Adam’s gaze darkened as he thought of Brenda’s outburst in his office earlier. “It’s Brenda,” he said finally, his voice heavy with frustration.
Eric raised an eyebrow. “Your secretary? What about her?”
Adam stood abruptly, pacing the room. “She showed up at my office today, making a scene. She told me she didn’t lose the baby—that she’s still pregnant. I don’t even know if it’s true.”
Eric’s expression grew serious. “If that’s the case, it complicates things even more.”
Adam stopped pacing and turned to face him. “What do you mean?”
“If Brenda is pregnant with your child, it gives her leverage,” Eric explained. “Sophie can claim emotional distress, financial support, or even blame her situation for your divorce. It doesn’t look good for you.”
Adam clenched his jaw. “But what if she’s lying? What if the baby isn’t mine or there’s no baby at all?”
Eric leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “If you can prove that, you might have a case. You could sue her for defamation, for manipulating you, and for ruining your marriage. But…”
“But what?” Adam demanded, his tone sharp.
Eric sighed. “If the baby is yours, the tables turn. Brenda could use this against you, and you wouldn’t have much of a defense.”
Adam sank back into his chair, his head in his hands. “This is a nightmare.”
