Fifty Shades of Fatherhood

Chapter 9

 After my father convinced me to lay low for a couple of days, he drove me to my hotel. He wanted me to return to Montesano with him, but I had a lot to get done tomorrow and needed to be in the city.

When we entered the hotel lobby, Taylor looked relieved that my dad was with me and that I had returned. Taylor began to approach having something to say when my dad whirled on him. Ray sat me on a bench and grabbed Taylor by the elbow pulling him within sight but out of earshot. I can tell by Taylor's facial expressions that my dad was letting him have it. When my dad finished speaking with Taylor, Taylor had a look of resignation and sulked out the front doors. My dad said nothing and I knew by his demeanor not to ask as he grabbed my elbow escorting me to my room. Once we arrived at my floor, two of Christian's men stood guarding the door to my room. My dad looked at one and with a tone of authority told him to get lost. The man did not budge but when my dad stepped into his personal space with a scary look on his face both men scattered.

My dad only stayed long enough to make sure I had everything I needed. My mind was reeling and the anger pulsed through my veins. He convinced me I was enough for him, but he could not even remain faithful for a few months. There was no way I was going to be able to sleep, so I pulled out my laptop and began to make preparations for the rest of my life. Ray thought Christian may have a reasonable explanation and may come around to the idea of fatherhood I had given up hope. The fact he turned to a sub hurt me deeply, and at this point, I am not sure I could ever forgive him.

Saturday morning I repacked the duffle Ms. Jones had packed the night I was kicked out with everything I owned. I left the gown and overpriced shoes I had bought to wear to the charity auction as I would not have much need for them and they would not fit in my small bag. I stuffed my laptop in my oversized purse and made my way to the elevators. I had been monitoring Christian's men's activity they usually came on duty right around the time I left for work, and I had constant coverage until 9 pm. I often slept late especially on a Saturday, but I gut feeling Christian would come this morning. I wanted to be gone before he arrived. I suspect he would have shown up last night but whatever Ray had shared with Taylor put a stop to that. Again I knew I would have a short window this morning to get moving.

I arrived at Grey Publishing without incident at 7:30 am. I did not even show up this early on an actual workday. I felt a sense of melancholy as I opened my office door, I would leave my dream job for the unknown. At this stage, I just had to move on. His message in his office last night was clear that me having a baby repulsed him so much that he would cheat on me. I had cried myself to sleep every night since he kicked me out of our home and I knew the sadness and depression were not healthy for the baby.

As I set my bags down, I noticed a stack of brochures for apartments. Helpfully someone had sorted them by least expensive to most. There was no note just the devastating, unspoken message from Christian to find a place. The sight of the brochures enraged me, Christian was telling me to move on. I could no longer take the stress, I had to leave tonight, I had packed my bags intending to head to Ray's, but for my sanity would need to leave town. I shoved the brochures in my desk drawer so I could focus and get through what I needed to.

I began gathering contact information for business associates crucial to my future. Then I spent the next few hours going through all the manuscripts I had been working on editing. I did not finish them, but I wrote notes about where I was in the process, works that I thought had potential, wildcards and other manuscripts not ready to be published. I did not want to leave my staff buried trying to determine what I had and had not done. Just because Mr. Grey was an inconsiderate jerk, I did not want to put my employees in a bind.

At 3 o'clock I finished going through all the manuscripts, I gathered my things and took one last look around my office to admire its beauty. I was not sure what was going to happen, but it was clear my husband was cutting me off. I needed to find a place and to figure out my finances and living situation. He had already cut off access to funds when would he kick me out of the hotel? The apartment flyers I thought were a strong clue numbering the days he would support me.