Eternally Yours - Brenda Jackson [46]
“Because besides being an attorney, I’m also human. I have an ethical obligation to do more than just represent you. I want to hear you and listen to what you have to say.”
“Are you in love, Ms. Walters?”
The question caught Syneda by surprise. “No,” she replied gently.
“Have you ever been in love?”
Syneda met the young woman’s curious tear-stained stare. “No, but that doesn’t exempt me from understanding or trying to understand. And how about calling me Syneda.”
Cassie Drayton hesitated only briefly before replying. “And I’m Cassie.” She paused then spoke slowly. “I met Larry at college. He’s a few years older and was obtaining a master’s degree in accounting. He’s brilliant,” she said proudly.
“I fell in love with him the moment I saw him. We dated three months before I took him home to meet my family. As soon as my father discovered Larry’s parents weren’t a part of New York society’s best, he forbade me to see him again.”
“I gather you continued seeing him anyway.”
“Yes. By that time Larry had completed his studies and had gotten a really good job with a prestigious accounting firm here in the city. He encouraged me to finish school and our plans were to marry after I graduated. Everything was going fine until we goofed and I got pregnant. Although a baby was not in our plans, we were happy about it anyway.”
“What happened?”
“My father found out. He paid us a visit and made a lot of threats. Within twenty-four hours, he had carried them out. When Larry reported to work the next morning, he was told he no longer had a job. We later discovered that my father had also made sure Larry wouldn’t find decent employment in this city or anywhere else as long as he continues to see me.”
“What’s Mr. Morgan’s reaction to all of this?”
“He’s furious. He tried telling my father that he loved me and would make me happy, but my father told him that he was not good enough for me and as long as he planned to include me in his future, he would make sure he didn’t have one.”
“So he gave in to your father’s threats?”
“No, Larry would never do that. I’m the one who gave in. I know more than anyone what my father is capable of, Ms. Walters. He would destroy Larry’s career completely without a moment’s thought. I couldn’t let him do that to Larry. I love him too much. I moved back home with my parents. I’m now back to being their puppet, letting them pull all the strings. But it doesn’t matter as long as Larry isn’t harmed.”
“Where’s Mr. Morgan now?”
“I don’t know. He tried contacting me but I refuse to see him. It’s for the best.”
“Your father is so sure Larry will sign the forms to give up your child,” Syneda said quietly.
“My father overestimates himself and underestimates Larry. He’ll never sign those forms. Larry would never agree to give up our child.”
A confused frown covered Syneda’s features. John Drayton seemed so confident the man would do exactly the opposite. That was interesting, especially judging by Cassie’s distress and opinion of her father’s capabilities.
“Cassie, I suggest you give yourself a few weeks to think this over some more, then come back to see me.”
“But what will I tell my father? He expects me to sign the papers today.”
Syneda reached for a business card and pressed it into the young woman’s hand. “You have time to make a decision, Cassie. This is something you should be absolutely sure about. If your father has any questions, just tell him to give me a call. If what you say is true, and Larry refuses to sign the papers, there’s nothing your father can do.”
Cassie nodded. “Thanks for listening, Syneda.”
“You’re welcome. And Cassie, I have a feeling that somehow things will work out for you and Larry.”
Cassie looked doubtful of that. She said goodbye and left Syneda’s office.
Syneda returned to the chair behind her desk and propped her head in her hands, suddenly feeling extremely tired. It seemed all her cases this week had been either difficult or in some way mind draining. Or maybe she was in a poor state of mind to deal with them. Knowing Clayton would be flying in this