Chapter 328
She owed Keith and Owen four years—she couldn't just walk away like that. Oh, how she longed to wrestle their custody away, but she knew she didn't have the means. Going up against Ivan would be like throwing an egg against a rock.
"What's wrong? What are you thinking about?"
Ivan leaned in slightly, meeting her slightly reddened eyes.
Haley put down the knife.
Lifting her head, her eyes were resolute and cool.
"Mr. Winston, be my boyfriend," she declared.
"What?!" Astonishment made Ivan's cold eyes widen considerably.
He thought his ears had deceived him, and after taking a deep breath, he said, "Haley, repeat that for me."
Locking her gaze with his, she repeated herself decisively. "Mr. Winston, you heard right. The Chases are coming at us hard, and I can't afford to lose custody of the kids. Garrett said that having a long-term, stable relationship would help in court. So, I'm asking you to pretend to be my boyfriend."
Her eyes fixed on Ivan's dark ones; her fists slowly clenched.
Ivan's perfect lips twisted slightly, forming a smile. "And why would I do that for you?"
She spoke deliberately, "If you help me, I'll agree to anything you want."
"Just to win the case?" Ivan's question was pressing.
Unyielding, Haley met his stare. "Yes, to win. To keep my children's custody.
"
"I need to think about it," Ivan said indifferently. "You should know that I've never had a woman in my life. If you become my girlfriend, it will stir up a media frenzy. That's no good for the Winston family..."
Haley pursed her lips. "Mr. Winston, you misunderstand. I'm asking you to play the part of my boyfriend just as proof for court, not to go public with our relationship... Don't worry, even if you agree to be my boyfriend, it will be like before, with no changes whatsoever."
But of course, there would be changes.
After becoming his girlfriend, she would have more reason to visit the Winstons frequently and to inquire lovingly about the two children. She needed to fill the four-year void of maternal love to give back to her children what they had lost.
Four years ago, she had given birth to quadruplets, a fact known only to herself.
Unless she spoke up, nobody would guess that her two kids and the two young Winston boys were siblings, born together as quadruplets.
While Haley's mind buzzed with complex thoughts, her hands were deft and clear. Soon enough, she had prepared a meal.
With more guests than usual today, she had cooked eight different dishes, filling the table to the brim.
At the rectangular table, Ivan took the head seat. Haley sat beside him, with the four children lined up next to them, and Keith sat alone at the end, looking somewhat forlorn.
Haley stood up and offered, "Keith, why don't you come sit here?"
She moved to the far end of the table, across from Keith.
Keith didn't budge and replied softly, "I'm fine here, no trouble at all."
That left Ivan sitting alone at the head of the table, diagonally across from Haley, feeling a sudden, inexplicable annoyance.
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