“What are you doing here?” he hissed.
I kept my tone steady. “Finishing something you started.”
His eyes flicked to the envelope in my hand. “You’re embarrassing yourself.”
“No,” I said quietly. “You did that.”
Behind him, Emily’s smile faltered. “Jason?” she called softly.
He ignored her and reached for the envelope. His fingers trembled just slightly as he opened it.
At that exact moment, Liam stirred and let out a small, sleepy cry.
Jason flinched.
“Not now,” he muttered, not even glancing at his son.
And that was the moment I knew I was done being afraid of him.
Susan stepped forward from the side of the room, calm and composed.
“Good evening,” she said clearly. “Before security gets involved, I’d like to clarify that my client has a valid restraining order preventing Jason Miller from approaching her.”
The music stopped.
The ballroom went still.
Jason straightened. “This is ridiculous. She’s unstable.”
Susan didn’t blink. “She was locked outside in a blizzard with a newborn.”
Gasps spread through the room.
Emily stepped closer. “What is she talking about?”
Jason tried to recover his charm. “It’s not what it sounds like.”
“Then read it,” Susan said evenly. “Out loud.”
Jason looked down at the documents again. The color drained from his face as he scanned the first page.
“That,” Susan continued, “is a court-confirmed paternity test establishing Jason Miller as Liam Miller’s biological father. It is followed by a petition for emergency sole custody based on abandonment and child endangerment.”
Emily’s bouquet slipped from her hands and hit the floor.
“You told me she was lying,” she whispered.
Jason’s jaw tightened. “She’s twisting things.”
I finally spoke, my voice quiet but clear enough for the room to hear.
“You left us outside in a snowstorm. You knew I had nowhere to go. You locked the door.”
He glared at me. “You would’ve survived.”
“I almost didn’t,” I said.
Silence.
Susan lifted another paper. “There is also an employment complaint. My client worked for Jason’s company. Her position was terminated during pregnancy.”
A murmur moved through the crowd.
One of Jason’s business associates lowered his glass slowly. “Is this true?”
Jason snapped, “This isn’t the place for this.”
“No,” I said calmly. “But you chose the timing.”
Emily took a full step back from him now. “You said the baby wasn’t yours.”
Jason reached for her arm. She pulled away immediately.
“Don’t.”