“Do you have to eavesdrop on all the conversations? I’m doing just fine without you,” Iskander chides him as if he were a little child needing discipline.
“I’m saving you time,” Lang argues.
“While Lang figures out the logistics, I’m going to concentrate on the legal side,” Fitz says. “And the father’s whereabouts?”
“He’s not in the picture,” Anya whispers.
“Did he relinquish his parental rights?”
“No, but—”
“Does he know about the baby?”
“Yes, but he decided not to be a part of us.”
“If something happens to you, I need to cover all the bases, so Siobhan doesn’t have a custody battle.”
“But I already spoke to my lawyer. He never mentioned my husband.”
“You’re still married?” Fitz and I ask in unison.
“Technically, yes.”
Fitz groans. “This might be complicated. Let me research with the family law department and I’ll get back to you.”
“I just need for Siobhan to adopt Rumi.”
“It’s not that easy. We need to settle the paternity, figure out what to do with your marital status, and then I’ll draw up some papers to make sure that Siobhan has full guardianship—but only if we can’t find a good treatment. This is the twenty-first century. There’s a cure for almost everything. Once I know where you’ll be living for the next few months, I’ll visit you and update you on everything.”
“Thank you?” Anya’s voice is almost shaky.
“Please, don’t thank me. I just need you to focus on your health.”
“The plane should be ready in an hour. Text me when you’re ready, and we’ll have a car pick you up to take you to the airport,” Lang says.
“Who’s going to see her?” Iskander asks.
“The same doctor I got for your grandfather. If I were you, I’d call Mane so you can borrow his home in Seattle. You could always ask Grace and Beacon. That way, you and Siobhan can be right next door to Anya and Rumi, and there’s a door that connects both homes.”
“I’m not living with him,” I protest.
“Oh, he’s not to that part yet. Copy that. Then you should call Fisher. His house has the perfect place for the baby, plus enough rooms to accommodate all of you.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue that I’m staying in Chicago. Job hunting isn’t easy and so far, I have zero leads. However, Anya gives me a look that says, you-are-not-leaving-me-alone.
I hope this works. Choosing to go back there—to Luna Harbor—is a sacrifice I’m willing to make, but only because I love Anya. I can’t lose her.
ChapterTwenty-Six
Iskander
Anya and Siobhanpack their things while I’m with Rumi. She’s adorable, and I can’t understand how Anya’s husband just packed his things and left them.
I don’t think there’ll be any kind of custody battle once they reach out to him. However, if he tries, I’ll make sure to bury him alive. I don’t know exactly what my reaction would be if I were in this situation, but I wouldn’t just abandon my wife and kid.
I recall what my father told Myka once when she asked for Mom, “I don’t know where she is, but she’s missing the best part of her.”
That poor bastard will regret all the moments he didn’t spend with his beautiful daughter.