"...you are as strong as your weaknesses..."

My father used to say that settling for anything less than what is required will bring nothing but bitter dissatisfaction. I paid a top notch lawyer double what her retainer usually costs to get Keira out of police custody and into my custody. I'm gravely disappointed by the outcome of the hearing.

"This is not what I wanted." I told her flatly when she walked into the hotel suite. "I was abundantly clear that I want Keira released and not incarcerated in a county jail! Wasn't I clear?"

"Mr Sinclair, first things first, don't shout at me." She placed her bag on the sofa. "Secondly, the case went downhill when the gun was found and proof that she fired it was discovered. I'm working sources within the police force to give more information because the detective is holding out. Until then, the most I can do is appeal for another bail hearing."

"She's pregnant. If I'm not mistaken, the first trimester is delicate. Isn't it?"

"I suppose. I'm not a mother." She frowned.

"Neither am I but I'm not ignorant." I told her. I paced back and forth. I dint care if Nick is the father. I care that there's a life growing inside her and she will lose it if she's not well cared for. She has already seen enough grief and doesn't need this.

"Excuse me for asking but is it yours?" My eyes shifted to Taylor. Sometimes I just don't trust her.

"Yes. It's mine."

"Huh! I didn't see that coming." She scratched her head. "I will go speak to judge right now. I'll uh... get back to you."

"Rose, pay anyone who needs to be paid. I don't like how this thing looks. It's rigged. I just can't put my finger where the source of the rigging is but we have to play by their rules."

"Pay offs it is." She agreed.

After she left Taylor came to me. "You are going to be a father."

"Are you going to call Martin and tell him?" I asked her.

"It was a one off thing Theo and he cornered me!"

Martin is the man in control of my inheritance. He will only release it to me if my father's terms are met. I should be married and I should father an heir. That's the only way I get my inheritance.

The intention was to marry Margaux, get her pregnant and be done with it. I like her because she lacks the ability to love. I don't want to get attached to anyone or anything. I just want to get my inheritance. I have changed my mind about Margaux. I came to Manhattan to look for Keira. On that same day, Margaux was trashing her on television. I don't know whether it was a coincidence or that it's meant to be but I was here just when I needed to be here.

Keira is a sweetheart. She deserves better than this. If Nick will no longer be in the picture then I'm stepping in. I'm laying out an investment with every move I make so that at the end of this, her gratitude will be the reason she will choose me. I have more to gain if it goes my way.

"Go tell him I got a woman pregnant. Go tell him that. Remove yourself from my personal space."

She backed away.

I need to get Keira out of jail. Maybe the detective and I should have a conversation.

My mother used to say that I don't look good in orange. Accordi to her, I'm too pale for orange. She should see me now. She will probably say I look like an orange in the snow. I still don't understand what that means.

"Walk." The guard behind me told me in a flat tone. I drew my pillow, towel and bedsheets closer to me as I made an entry into the grand hall with prisoners. There are beds arranged in rows. Everyone stopped when I made my entrance. "Congratulations. You're going to make new friends."

She closed the gate leaving me to figure out where my bed is. How will I even find it? I'm not willing to walk through these rowdy looking women. Some of them are eyeing me questionably.

"Excuse me?" I spoke to an older woman reading a book. She lowered her glasses to look at me. "Is there a spare bed?"

"Wait till bedtime and you'll find out." Exactly what I thought. I stayed on the same spot, wondering what to do now. It's 5pm and hopefully, they go to bed early? Do they? "Are you just going to stand there? You can sit here."

"Are you sure it's okay?"

"Would I be offering if it wasn't?"

I sat beside her,not too closed more to the edge of the bunk bed. I leaned against the metal and used the pillow, towel and sheets to rest my elbows. My eyes feel heavy. My heart is heavier. Nick left me. No. He dumped me. He convinced me to have an affair with him and now he is done. Just like that he is done l.

"So... is it true?" She asked me with her eyes still glued to the book.

Rose Anderson told me not to speak to anyone about my situation. She said any of them could gather information and serve as witnesses against me and in exchange the prosecution shaves off some time from their sentence.

"What is?"

"Did you kill your husband?"

"Of course not." That's the truth. I didn't do it.

"You don't look like you can hurt anything. Look little missy, I'll just say it. You won't last in here."

"Why would you say that?"

"You look like you came from a beauty pageant. Do you see anyone in here who can even participate in a beauty pageant? You're soft. You look pampered and rich. You won't last the night. Word of advise, do you see those women over there?"

I followed her eyes. She's looking at seven women. They are all standing except for one who is seated. "Yeah?"

"If you see them coming your way, run."

And where would I run? There's nowhere to run!

"Thank you. I'll remember that."

"I'm Gen. Just Gen."

"I'm Ke-"

"I know." She cut me off.

*

I skipped dinner. I wasn't hungry.

When the guards came by to inspect the prisoners, I found an empty bed. It's not comfortable. The mattress is thin and worn out. My back is killing me and I'm terrified of moving.

Someone is whistling a sinister tune. I can hear moaning. It's muffled. I dint want to be here. I want to get out of here!

"Princess and the pea!" A woman called. "Newbie! I'm talking to you!" I lowered the blanket to see the woman across me smiling. "Is the mattress comfy?"

She and her bunkmate started laughing. I dint mind some light teasing. It's fine. I can ignore it.

They both covered themselves quickly. I understood why when my bed was suddenly surrounded on both sides. One if them sat on the side. She is wearing a white vest, both arms tattooed and has a sly look in her blue eyes. "Hey beautiful."

"H..hi." I responded.

"Damn! You have a soft voice! Do you know how excited I got when I watched you walk in? What's your name?"

"Keira."

"Everyone here calls me moon. I'm going to call you raven barbie. I just wanted to come over here and introduce myself." She extended her hand to me. I hesitate before I took it. She kissed the back of my hand. "Sweet dreams."

When they left, I felt like I was breathing for the first time.

Day one: I have to get out of here!

I am craving a drink. Just one drink to fix this sadness and emptiness I feel. I can't cope. I'm fidgeting. I'm stressed out. I need a quick fix.

"I never had a drinking problem." My father's voice forced me to still my feet. "Rage was more of my crucible. I had a lot of that pumping through my veins. It still does. It's pure and raw raw rage. It's strange because my father was a calm man. My problem can only be tamed, not fixed. Yours can be fixed. I suggest that you do it before you are far gone."

"I don't need rehab. I can beat this on my own."

"What you had to do wasn't easy. I understand. You love her and we have nothing against her. We are simply against the situation. Gio told me that he suggested two priorities. Sobriety and fatherhood. What's your plan?"

I hate that question.

"To not drink and to be a better father."

"Sounds good. Be more specific. What actions are you taking to make sure you don't drink?"

"I haven't thought that far ahead."

"Nickolas, son, think on your feet. Don't make decisions you'll regret for the rest of your life." He touched the top of my head and excused himself.

I can't stop worrying about Kei. She's in county right now. Is she in bed? Probably. Is she safe? Will she be safe?

Another thing that is nagging at me is the Russo's threat. When is it happening? So far, nothing. It's quiet and that alone troubles me because Mancini is not one for empty threats.

Even Timmy is quiet.

Something is not right.

"Nick, you have a phone call. I accepted it for you. It's from a prison."

I took the phone hastily. "Kei?"

"Technically those are the first three letters of my name but I don't respond to those. It's Keith."

" What can I do for you?"

"Is Kei with you? Did she get out? I heard she got arrested."

"She's in county."

"Fuck man! Come on! Why would you let that happen? She is not cut our for prison!"

"It's out of my control."

"You're lucky they are recording these calls. I had a lot to say to you. Can you visit? We should talk about Kei. You have to help her."

How do I tell him that I have distanced myself from Kei? How do I tell him that I will not help Kei because we are broken up?

Rip the bandaid off.

"Kei and I broke up. We have nothing to do with each other anymore. Sorry but I can't help you. The courts will decide " I hanged up on his m.

I feel terrible about abandoning Kei. But if I get mixed up in this, I lose Maddie. Maddie is q priority. Sobriety and fatherhood is the plan. Nothing and no one else.