Longing For The Beach Billionaire Daddy
Chapter 221

Michael

We walked through the gardens of tropical flowers, hand in hand, and back to our suite where our children were waiting for us.

We talked quietly but with a somberness that suggested something was weighing heavily on our minds. I had planned an entire day for us, but I knew the pull of our children was too much.

It was the other issue that was weighing heavily on me. But I was determined to face it head-on, united as a team, the way she always had with my issues. I needed to support Shelby the way she had always supported me.

We entered to the beautiful sounds of the twins’ laughter. I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of them. They looked so carefree and happy, oblivious to the weight of our worries.

That was shattered quickly as Shelby wasted no time sharing the distressing news with our friends.

Her voice was tinged with concern as she explained the situation.

“I … have some news. I’ve been consulting on an environmental case for the last couple of months. The impact this company had on the environment and the lives of the people around them, knowingly, was impossible for me to ignore, so I took the case even though I was still on maternity leave. But, now that it’s underway, things have… escalated. My client is receiving threats. And when he didn’t give in, they burned the man’s house down.”

“Oh my god!” Aubrey exclaimed, her hand flying to her mouth in horror.

“What does that mean for you?” Lin asked.

“It means I need to take care of this. I’m so sorry, you guys. I want to be here for this, with you, and I promise I’ll rejoin you as soon as I can. But, this is too urgent to ignore.”

“Of course not! They took it way too far,” Lin assured her. “I hope no one was hurt. Please tell me no one was hurt.”

“No, no one was hurt. Luckily the house was empty when they set the fire, which I’m really hoping was deliberate and not coincidental.” If they had been trying to kill John and his family, that was even more despicable than everything else they’d done combined, I thought as I nodded along with my wife’s words.

“Geez, Shelby. Just when things were starting to get back to boring, everyday mundane for you, this s**t happens. You’re like a trouble magnet with the dial turned up to crazy,” Aubrey joked.

“Don’t I know it,” Shelby sighed. She sat back on the couch, reaching for Amelia, who was squirming in Lin’s arms. Holding the baby close to her chest seemed to have a calming effect on her.

I watched her, admiring the strength and dedication she showed even in the face of adversity. She was a force to be reckoned with, my wife. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in the person she had become. She had grown so much throughout our relationship, and it had been great to watch it firsthand.

“I really am sorry you guys. I was really excited about this trip with you. Here’s hoping I can take care of this quickly and get back to our regularly scheduled life–well our randomly scheduled vacation anyway,” she chuckled humorlessly.

“We’re not upset, Shelby. We totally get it. You don’t have anything to worry about on our end.”

“Absolutely nothing from us,” Aubrey reassured her. “This is kind of a trump card. Your client definitely needs you more than we do right now.”

Taking a seat among our friends, I observed the interaction between Shelby and her long-time companions. Their support and understanding were evident, and I found comfort in the fact that she had such unwavering friendships.

These were the people who had stood by her side through thick and thin, offering a support system that I alone could not provide. They were her support system before me. Hell, they would be her support system long after me, assuming I’d die before her because of my age. At that moment, I realized how truly blessed we were to have them in our lives.

My attention shifted to our children, who were blissfully unaware of the turmoil that had unfolded. It was clear Lin and Aubrey doted on them, showering them with love and affection. Seeing our little ones interact with Shelby’s best friends, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of gratitude. Despite the challenges we faced, we were surrounded by love and unwavering loyalty.

As I watched Shelby engage with her friends, a mix of emotions swirled within me. While I understood the importance of her work and the commitment she had to her clients, there was a part of me that yearned for simplicity—a moment where we could escape the responsibilities that often consumed our lives.

I longed for a quiet vacation, untouched by the demands of our careers or the complexities of our extended family. But, that felt selfish of me at the same time. Wasn’t it my work and my family and my issues that had thrown us into complete turmoil over the last few years?

My own brother had tried to have me killed, after all. My ex had manipulated everything and deliberately implanted someone else’s embryo into Shelby during our IVF treatments. But my wife stood by me through all of it. It almost felt like it was Shelby’s turn to cause a little trouble in our lives.

I took a deep breath, reminding myself to be patient and understanding. I knew that Shelby was doing everything in her power to handle the situation with her client. The weight of her dedication to the pursuit of truth was a burden she bore willingly, and it was my role to stand by her side, offering the same support she’d offered me.

As Shelby ran off to make some phone calls and begin packing our things, I found myself engaged in casual conversation with Gianni and Jerrick, attempting to divert my thoughts from the weight of the impending lawsuit and the apparent consequences that could bring.

We exchanged lighthearted banter, discussing topics ranging from the beauty of Maui to our shared love for adventure. We discussed what we had originally planned: a hiking adventure along the Na Pali Coastline and climbing to the peak of Haleakala.

Our conversation swung toward work-related subjects and Jerrick’s smile faded, as he thoughtfully looked off in the direction Shelby had disappeared.

His curiosity led him to inquire about Shelby’s current case. “So, what is this case anyway? It’s got to be something pretty freaking big if they’re resorting to threats like that. That’s a little far to go over something minuscule.”

I hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to disclose the details, but ultimately decided on transparency. The lawsuit wasn’t a secret, and I didn’t know any of the finer details anyway. Shelby never broke her client’s trust. Even if she did, I would never break her trust.

“Well, she’s working on a lawsuit against Henderson Chemical,” I responded, my voice filled with a hint of concern. “They’re going after them for bypassing environmental regulations. I think it’s a civil matter at the moment.”

Jerrick’s eyes widened as he leaned back in his chair, alarm filling his features. His lips were parted, as if he wanted to say something but didn’t know how. Sensing his unease, I quickly interjected, desperate to understand the source of his apprehension. I tried to remain stoic, but inside my heart raced.

I cleared my throat uncomfortably and tightened my jaw, determined to get answers. “What? What’s the matter?” I asked, my voice tinged with urgency.

Jerrick shifted uncomfortably in his chair, his voice thick with trepidation.

“Henderson Chemical is a massive corporation. They’re known to play hardball and have a long, nasty reputation. My dad worked on some cases against them in the past. Things could get ugly.”

My jaw tightened, and I clenched my fists. “Things have already gotten pretty ugly, haven’t they?”

“Oh, no. Things can get much, much worse than what happened to that guy’s house. That’s nothing compared to what they could do,” he warned. “They’re ruthless, and they don’t play by the rules–if they did, Shelby probably wouldn’t have much of a case. She needs to be careful, Michael.”

His words hit me like a wave crashing into the shore, stirring a deep-rooted fear within me. The realization that Shelby’s work on this case could potentially expose us to another dangerous enemy loomed over me like a dark cloud. I had told her I would call Bruce and ensure our family’s safety, but it hadn’t occurred to me just how much danger this might be putting us in.

Before I could process the implications fully, Shelby reentered the room, her familiar presence bringing both relief and worry. She smiled brightly at us, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“It looks like I managed to buy us a bit of time,” she said, her voice steady. “We have one more day until we need to leave.”

A wave of relief washed over her face and, for a moment, she looked as if a weight had been lifted from her. I saw it too but couldn’t help the anxiety creeping back in. The look on my face didn’t go unnoticed.

Shelby moved closer, placing a hand on my shoulder while her gaze filled with understanding. “I know this isn’t what you hoped for, but at least we have another day to spend together. After that call, any extra time together is a blessing,” she said, her voice sweet like honey.

The weight of the situation weighed heavily on me as I considered the potential consequences. What if this case, with its far-reaching implications, did somehow find its way to our doorstep? The thought gnawed at my mind, threatening to overshadow the peace we had briefly found.

I tightened my grip on Shelby’s hand, my apprehension almost tangible. “Are you sure you’ll be safe? And what about us? What if this case puts us in danger?” I questioned, my voice betraying my fears.

The look of worry and surprise crossing her features was like a punch to the gut. But she inhaled deeply, unflinching resolve settling in her eyes as she met mine with unwavering assurance.

“Michael, I understand your worries, but we can’t let fear dictate our actions. We’ll take the necessary precautions, and I won’t let anything jeopardize our safety or our family. And I know you won’t either.”

Her words offered a glimmer of reassurance, reminding me of the strength that was in both of us. We had faced countless challenges before, emerging stronger each time, and I had faith that together, we could figure this out as well. But, my worry still wasn’t gone.

As if sensing my continued concern, Shelby pulled me into a deep k**s. It was a k**s that spoke volumes, the kind that communicated unspoken promises without the need for words. As we broke apart, she rested her forehead against mine, her gaze never leaving mine.

“We’ll get through this, Michael. Together,” she said, her voice soft and reassuring as if to cement the bond between us. “Just like we always have.”