Chapter 40/Philip Blake
Shane's POV
Philip and I met at a bar. He was there with a gorgeous redhead who had green eyes, and I was drinking a few beers by myself.
She leaves, and he's left alone.
"Hey, how do you get a girl like that?" I asked, noticing he wasn't exactly Brad Pitt.
" I have a lot of money. And I am a doctor," he smirks.
"Better than good looking and poor," I said, starting an unlikely friendship with this rich doctor.
"Bet you have no trouble meeting ladies," he says, sipping his beer.
"Usually, I go for the unavailable ones. Like Lori, who is married to my best friend," I admitted.
"Wow, that must be a long story."
Honestly, it is. Now she has my child, but she won't let me see her. And Rick won't speak to me anymore. I've lost three people. Not seeing my daughter, that's what kills me, I admitted.
"You have a chance of getting visitation with your daughter. I know an attorney who could help. His name is Negan Smith. He never loses," he says, handing me a business card.
" I couldn't afford a lawyer. I am a cop and this economy is awful," I admitted.
"Let me help you. You have something I don't, and I have a lot of money," he said.
"Would you like to go get some burgers and talk? I'm very interested," I admitted.
"Let's get five guys and discuss everything at my place," he said, walking to the door.
I agreed and followed him. Once we were at his house, I was nervous.
We finished our food and I turned on the television to watch the game.
"Hey, what do I have that you don't, man?" I said, hoping this wasn't anything too weird.
" I can't get a woman pregnant. You obviously can. My sperm count is low and the chances are slim. I love this girl. She's perfect and I want you to help me," he says finally.
"Is she okay with this?"
"She can't know. You will have to give her a few drinks. Nothing crazy, but you know what I mean," he says.
"So you wont tell her?"
"No I want her to believe the baby is ours. You could see how this is embarrasing to me. For the woman I love to know I am shotting blanks," he says calmly.
"Why would I do this?"
"Legal fees paid. And a million dollars. You could get time with your daughter. Think about it. One million dollars to get my girlfriend pregnant. Not exactly a hard job. She is beautiful," he said looking into my eyes.
He shows me a picture on his phone. I see it's my ex-girlfriend from high school. Andrea Harrison has gotten even more beautiful.
I think about my daughter Judith. I know I had to try.
"Il do it," I agreed.
What other choice did I have? Now I feel like shit about it, as we are finally meeting up.
He pulls up into my house driving a white Mercedes. I wait for him to come inside.
He is smiling a goofy smile. I let him and close the door.
"So you've been spending time with my adoptive sister?" he asks being annoying.
"Yes. Sasha and I are dating," I admitted.
"She is perfect for you," he says seating on my sofa. We've spent alot of time together planning my night with Andrea.
"She is nice. But I have been thinking about Andrea. I love her. I want to help her raise our child. I know that wasnt the plan," I said nervously.
"No, that wasn't our deal, and that's not what's happening,' he says, frustrated.
"Is Andrea pregnant?Is she okay? Where she?"
"She is about six weeks along. She is fine. I basically have her on bed rest. Our wedding is next Saturday." he brags.
"I think we should tell her the truth," I suggested.
"Shane, Andrea would hate us both. You'd ruin your chances with Sasha, and you still see Judith only once a month. The DNA test will show me as the father anyway. I work at the hospital and can change the results. Assuming you can find Andrea at all. She isn't in Atlanta," Philip says, handing me a check. The check was made out for a million dollars in my name.
"She wants me," I said, looking at the check. I was in shocked.
"No, she doesn't. You two had sex, and she was on the first plane ride to me. I made love to her right after you. She cried in my arms, feeling guilty. She knows I can give her a better life. You don't love Andrea. You only think you do. Before I go, I need you to sign a form that relinquishes all parental rights for this child. It's a pretty standard form. After you sign, I'll contact Negan about taking Lori back to court. I know a judge who will rule in your favor. You should marry Sasha. It will look good to the court," he suggests, holding a pen and a piece of paper for you to sign.
I take the pen and the sign the contract. He takes it immediately. Smiling even more. I feel like I sold my soul to the devil. I knew Andrea shouldn't be with this guy, but I was powerless to stop him.
"Thank you for your sperm donation. I promise this baby will have the best life possible. I knew you were a sure bet," he says, grabbing one of my beers.
"Because Andrea trusted me?" I asked, feeling sick to my stomach.
"That and this is your third baby. First Sasha from your one night stand, then Lori, and now my fiancée. You could make a career out of this," he says, leaving my house.
Bella is my daughter, I thought, picking up my check. I decided to take the check straight to the bank, and to my surprise, the money was put in my account.
Negan called me on the way home, and I had a court date. I knew I would actually get to see my daughter now. I had money and I would get to see Judith. Why did I feel so guilty?
I walk up to my house and see Sasha waiting for me. She is really beautiful, and our relationship has been low key with no drama. It really is easy to be with her. Even her outfit was so basic, black jeans and white tee- shirt. Was her daughter mine, or was Philip messing with me?
"Philip was here. Look, I shouldn't have let him find you, but I want Isabella to meet her father at least once. But I don't expect anything. Philip and his mom think I can't do this by myself, but I've been fine," she says softly.
"Remember that party? You were only about twenty, huh? I wish you had told me before," I said, holding her hand in mine.
"Would you have helped with Bella?" She says, tears coming to her face.
"Of course. I know I probably came off as an asshole. But I know now how much I want a family. Do you want to go to Vegas?" I asked, thinking about the money in my account. I knew I could never tell Sasha any of this.
"Are you asking to get married?" She asked, crying.
"Let's make a family with Bella and Judith," I said, pulling her close.
"You mean it?"
"Of course. Marry me. Let's run off into the sunset together," I said, looking into her brown eyes.
"Yes, Shane. I'll marry you," she says finally.
I that moment, I knew I would forget about Andrea or try to forever. Making a new start with Sasha made sense.