[THURSDAY]

Big Bonnie Matthews had always been a force of nature, but when it came to family, she was downright lethal.

With eight children of her own and a sprawling army of nieces and nephews, she ruled the younger generation with an iron fist wrapped in velvet. Apparently, though, her grip on her nephew Wayne hadn’t been nearly tight enough. Bonnie sat at the polished conference table like a queen holding court, with Wayne seated directly to her left. Her attorney, Joshua, was positioned on her right, while her stone-faced bodyguard, Shamori, stood watch directly behind her.

Across from them sat Aubrey Hastings - a woman Bonnie had never even heard of until yesterday - and Aubrey’s lawyer. “As clearly stated in the agreement,” Joshua began, sliding a copy of the contract forward, “Miss Hastings will receive one hundred and fifty thousand dollars upon termination of the pregnancy and execution of the NDA.”

“Termination…?” Aubrey’s voice trembled. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she looked desperately from her lawyer to Wayne. “I’ll sign whatever you want, but this…this is our baby…” Her lawyer leaned in, voice sharp. “Mr. Matthews promised my client a ten-song album, exclusive studio access, production credits - opportunities he dangled for months before discarding her once she became…inconvenient. He used my client for his own personal gain and now he’s attempting to erase the truth.” “I ain’t use nobody,” Wayne snapped, half-rising from his chair. “She knew what it was from the jump!”

Bonnie silenced him with a single gesture. The room went still. “Your client,” Bonnie said coolly, turning her gaze on Aubrey, “chose to sleep with a married man based on nothing but empty promises and no written agreements. If she's a victim of anything, it's of her own stupidity.”

“Wayne, please,” Aubrey whispered, ignoring Bonnie's words, her voice breaking. “How can you be so cold?”

Bonnie answered for him, her tone flat and final. “The world is cold, Miss Hastings. The sooner you learn that, the better. Did you honestly believe a man who would cheat on his wife would suddenly become loyal to you? He doesn’t want you. He doesn’t want this baby. Take the money, correct your mistake, and move on with your life.” She leaned back, folding her hands on the table, eyes never leaving the younger woman’s face. “Is that all this baby is to you?” Aubrey shook her head, tears still streaming down her face. “A mistake? This is your blood, Wayne.” “Just take the money, Aubrey,” Wayne urged calmly, almost gently, reluctant to meet her eyes. Her lawyer straightened in his seat. “We can get far more than that in court. Child support alone would be substantial.”

Joshua didn’t flinch. “These proceedings could drag on for years. Miss Hastings is not in a financial position to sustain a prolonged legal battle. Not to mention the alienation of affection lawsuit Mrs. Matthews will file against her…or the custody battle that will follow if she refuses to terminate the pregnancy.”

Aubrey’s lawyer leaned over and whispered urgently in her ear. For a long moment, the only sound in the room was Aubrey’s quiet sobbing.

Finally, she lifted her head, eyes blazing through the tears. “I’ll settle…” she said bitterly. “But I want ten million dollars.”

“Ten -” Wayne started. “You want me gone, don’t you?” Aubrey cut him off sharply. “You want me to kill our baby. Ten million is nothing compared to what you’re asking me to do!” Bonnie’s voice sliced through the tension like a blade. “One million. That’s our final offer before we drag you through every court in this state.”

Aubrey’s gaze hardened with pure resentment. “I want Wayne to pay me directly. I want his name on the check that pays for the death of his own child.” Bonnie didn’t hesitate. “Done.”