Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Julian's POV

We reached home in the afternoon and Nora fed Max and put him to bed. We had just freshened up and Cassie was too tired and hungry so Nora fixed her something to eat before going to tuck Max to bed. I was sipping my coffee while Cassie was busy eating her sandwich and hot milkshake when Nora came in with an important-looking envelope for us.

"This came in while you were away. It's in Cassandra's name," said Nora handing it over to me. I looked at the letter curiously. What in the name of God was this now? It looked like some legal notice and immediately a sense of dread filled my heart. Cassie too looked on with curiosity and then shrugged.

"I don't have anyone who could send me an important mail." She continued to eat while I set about opening it.

However, the moment I opened it, my eyes popped out seeing that it was a legal notice asking for Cassandra's appearance before the court. I was confused, why was she summoned by a court? I knew everything about her past and she had done nothing to be summoned by a court. There had to be some mistake. I glanced at an oblivious Cassie who was busy enjoying her sandwich and I couldn't stop the panic in my heart.

I read further, and things became clearer. Desmond Reid and his wife had taken legal help to get custody of Max but why would he want that? He had denied taking Max's responsibility earlier when Cassie had asked him. Then what changed now? I was too furious to speak. After all that he had done to her, I was appalled at the audacity of the man to send a legal notice out of the blue after two and a half years. It was really infuriating and I seethed with anger reading and re-reading it with disbelief. He had a wife, yet he abused a young girl and now he was back to torment her? No, this time I wouldn't let him get away.

"What is it Julian?" asked Cassie as she sipped her milkshake, oblivious to the threat looming over her and Max's heads.

I showed her the letter. She took it from me with a frown and read it, her face paling considerably. She looked up at me helplessly, frightened and at a loss for words.

"Oh My God! Why does he want to take Max away from me? What will we do, now, Julian? she asked, looking petrified. "I won't give up Max. I won't be able to live without him," she whispered in a scared voice as her eyes filled up with tears.

"I don't know why he wants Max but we will find out." I tried my best to console her. My heart went out to her knowing that she had been through so much all alone, and now when she was finally happy with me, this had to crop up out of the blue. I caught her hand to comfort her.

"Do something, please,' she begged me, with tears falling down her cheeks. My heart constricted with pain to see her tears.

"Don't worry, Cassie. No one will take Max away from you. I will handle this but I would need dad's help. I'm calling him, okay? Just relax and finish your food. Nora, please look after her," I said getting up to call dad for help. I knew that this was a serious issue and I couldn't handle it on my own. Dad had big connections and this would be a piece of cake for him. If needed he would involve all my brothers as well.

After a detailed discussion with dad, I called up our Private Investigator and asked for a detailed report on Desmond Reid. Why did he suddenly want custody of Max was beyond me. Next, I called my Legal Advisor and sought the legal documents which I required. Dad promise to talk to his friend Marshall Simmons who was the Police Commissioner at the New York City Police Department. I relaxed a little after talking to dad, knowing that he would handle this efficiently.

"What will we do now?" asked Cassie as I entered our bedroom, her eyes wide with panic. I could see the terror reflected in them. I went up to her and pulled her into my arms. She embedded her face into my chest and sobbed.

"I'm scared, Julian," she whispered incoherently.

"I spoke to dad. We'll sort this out, don't worry," I consoled her, stroking her hair.

"He's very powerful, Julian. We can't do anything but give in. I don't want him to harm you or anyone else," she said in a low whisper, her eyes staring helplessly into my face. It wasn't something new for me. I knew Desmond's reach but she had no idea of my dad's reach. I didn't tell her much about my discussion with dad and our plan of action. I didn't want her to worry much about it.

"I know, darling. I'm certain that Desmond doesn't have any proof that he is Max's father. So, I will first gather all the proof to confirm that I am Max's dad. Then I will prove that Desmond has harassed you in the past as well as many other women. Then we will file a written statement that all allegations are false and Max is our child. We will attach all proofs. The case will be dismissed. Dad's friend is the police commissioner of New York. He will take action against Desmond. Don't worry at all. We'll have this sorted out in no time," I consoled her. I knew that it was a foolproof plan and it would be successful only if we could take Desmond by surprise, not giving him enough time to collect fake proofs.

Cassie's eyes looked hopeful hearing my plan. "How will you prove that you're Max's dad?" she asked, looking into my eyes with confusion. I smiled down at her not wanting to divulge much as Dad had asked me.

"Don't worry at all. Dad's helping me with it. Leave it to us, okay?" I told her, making her sigh with relief. she smiled and finished her food happily.

"Thank you Julian for everything that you're doing for me. You don't know how much it all means to me. I would have been so lost without you," she said holding my cheek and resting her forehead against mine. I smiled warmly at her. She had no idea how much I loved her. I could fight the world for her. She was mine.

"I know, darling," I told her, stroking her hair as she fell asleep. I was determined to protect her and Max with my whole body and life. They are my family, my lifeline, my reason for living. Desmond was in for a surprise time as he had no idea what type of support Cassie had this time. He had considered her helpless and alone and was sure that she would bow down to his whims and fancies not having any idea that this time it was a war between the Hendersons and him. In no way could he win against us.