Chapter 22: Chapter 22

ODETTE

It turned out to be completely safe to have a paternity test at seven weeks. Since I was already twelve weeks along, Reece and I decided to get it over with. Even though we knew what the results would be, the court needed physical proof, and Tyler needed physical evidence to hold me hostage.

“What’s the next step?” I asked.

“Tyler and his lawyer are going to petition to be involved in the decision-making and to be included in the appointments. He’s also going to ask the judge to require you to move back.”

“What’s the likelihood?” I asked.

“I’m not sure. I haven’t dealt with a case like this before,” he admitted.

“I can’t go back,” I pleaded.

“I won’t let that happen. We will argue that the stress of having to move back and leaving a job you just started will be a lot. We will also argue that you fear for your safety due to not having family around,” Reece added. I could tell he was grasping at straws to make me feel better about the situation.

“This is so fucked up, Reece. I’m sorry that you have to deal with this because of me. I should have hidden the pregnancy from him.”

“I’m choosing to be by your side; don’t apologize,” Reece replied.

***

To avoid traveling, we allowed a judge to decide while I submitted a written statement. Now I was sitting in Mr. Rhine’s office with Reece, waiting to hear the outcome.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Mr. Rhine said, noticing that Reece and I were holding hands. He paused for a moment before sitting down. “The judge did grant Mr. Johnson the right to be involved in the pregnancy but stated that it’s his responsibility to be here. To ask you to uproot your life, to remove you from your family would cause undue stress to you and the baby. So from this point on, we have to include Mr. Johnson in any baby-related matters.”

“It’s not what we wanted, but we can work with this,” Reece said, squeezing my hand.

“I was under the impression she was a family friend, Reece, but to me, it seems like she’s your girlfriend.”

“We are more than friends; it’s new, but yeah, she’s my girlfriend,” Reece confirmed.

“Shall I start including you in our meetings?” Mr. Rhine asked.

“That’s up to Odette.”

“I would like Reece to be involved. I also have a question. Do I have to let him know where I’m living?” I asked.

“No, that’s not a condition; you just have to keep him involved in the pregnancy.”

“Thank you for your time, Tom,” Reece said.

“Not a problem, Reece.”

***

I had been feeling on edge ever since I was told that I had to include Tyler. I felt like I was being trapped again. I didn’t want him near this baby or me.

Tyler advised that he would fly in and stay at an extended stay for a while. I refused to tell him where I lived. I told him we would meet at the clinic or wherever else we were needed.

I had an appointment next week, and he would be there. I was hoping Reece could be there too, or if he couldn’t, maybe I would take one of my brothers.

“Are you okay?” Reece asked me.

“Tired,” I replied.

“Is there anything I can do?” he asked.

“No, I just want to lay on the couch.”

“Sit up for a second,” Reece instructed.

“You can sit in the chair.”

“Just lift your upper body for a second, Odette,” he insisted.

I did as he asked, and he sat in the seat I was laying my head in. He then took the pillow, placed it on his lap, and patted the pillow.

“Lay your head back down,” he instructed.

“Okay.”

“When are you going to start trusting me?” Reece asked.

“I do trust you; I’m not used to all this PDA or cuddling stuff,” I admitted.

I laid my head in his lap, and he started to play with my hair, running his fingers through it and massaging my scalp.

“This feels good,” I sighed.

“Do you want to tell me about your day?” Reece asked.

“My day was fine; I’m just worried about being around Tyler again.”

“I’ll make sure nothing happens to you; I’ll be at all your appointments too,” Reece said, trying to reassure me.

“Thank you for everything.”

“No need to thank me.”

Reece leaned over and pecked my lips before grabbing the TV remote.

“How about we find something to watch?” he asked.

He chose The Good Place, a show I had been wanting to see. However, my body had other plans. I only managed to stay awake for the first five minutes before I fell asleep.

***

Time seemed to fly by, as if the universe knew I was dreading seeing Tyler again. When Reece and I arrived at the clinic, Tyler was already waiting for us.

“You had to bring him? This isn’t his child,” Tyler snapped.

“Reece is going to be here whether you like it or not. The court said I just had to include you and nothing more,” I retorted.

Reece and I walked in, leaving Tyler to follow us. Reece found us seats while I checked in for my appointment.

I was trying not to be petty, but I couldn’t help the wave of hatred that washed over me, all of it directed at Tyler. He didn’t deserve to be part of my life anymore, and he certainly wasn’t worthy of raising my child.

“Odette.” The nurse called my name almost immediately. That never happened, but I was thankful it did.

“I’m sorry, but you can only have one person with you,” the nurse stated.

“I’ll wait out here for you,” Reece reassured me. He kissed me before he left to sit down.

As we followed the nurse, Tyler tried to provoke me.

“So, you’re dating him? You couldn’t even wait a month after leaving me,” he said, attempting to shame me.

“Mind your own business,” I snapped.

“It’s my business when the mother of my child becomes a whore,” Tyler retorted angrily.

“Enough!” I whispered. “He’s taken better care of me than you ever have, and he’s done more for this child than you have. You just want to use this child to control me.”

“I don’t need this child to control you; I already control you, Odette.”

The way he said that sent chills down my spine. It was ominous and felt like a warning.