Chapter 188

Chapter 188
Spencer's POV

We were in the garden when Ethan arrived. We spread some blankets on the grass and sat down. Cora didn't talk to me much, but at least she didn't seem bothered by my proximity.
Even though Ethan wore a smile while Ellie rushed to him and he picked her up to kiss her cheek, I could tell that his smile wasn't genuine. I wondered what was going on with him. He had mentioned that he would be meeting his girlfriend, so I hoped that his love life was at least okay.
After putting Ellie back down, he walked over to us and sat on the blanket.
"What's up, guys?" he asked.
"Not much, what about you?" I replied, and he lowered his head for a moment.
"Is everything alright with Jess?" Cora asked him, and he looked at her suddenly.
"Yes, we're fine. However, I had a phone call just before I left my apartment."
"What phone call?" I asked.
"Uncle Ryan," he answered.
Both Cora and I looked at him in surprise.
"What did he want?" I inquired.
Ethan took out his phone and looked at us. "I asked Mum to come out. I think it’s better if she hears this, too."
Mum appeared a few moments later and sat down with us.
"So, Uncle Ryan called me before I left my apartment and said he would have his legal team defend his brother."
"No way!" I exclaimed.
"Yes," Ethan nodded. But before anyone could speak further, Mum interrupted.
"That isn't a huge problem, guys," she said.
Ethan looked at her in disbelief.
"Mum, he has power."
"Yes, he has power, but can't change the evidence. I'll call him and talk to him," Mum replied.
"I don't think he'd change his mind, Mum," Ethan said, and Mum shook her head.
"I got to know him when he had a small farm in the middle of nowhere. We supported him back then to build his business, so he can't play games with me," Mum said, her frustration evident, before she stood up and walked back inside the house.
"Do you think he’ll call him right away?" Ethan asked, turning to me.
"I think so, yes. She looked frustrated enough," I answered. As I spoke to Ethan, I noticed Cora’s scared expression. Hearing this news made her uncomfortable. I placed my hand over hers, and she didn’t pull away.
"Cora, you don’t need to worry. Ray can’t win even if he gets the best legal team behind him."
She sighed.
"He can win, Spencer, and you know that. He is influential and wealthy, with a huge and famous company and numerous business partners. Why couldn't he win?"
"Cora, I agree with Spencer. Even if he is rich, he can't escape this."
Cora shrugged, as if she didn't care, but I could see the pain on her face at how much this news hurt her. I wanted to pull her into my embrace and reassure her that everything would be fine. I hesitated momentarily, but then Ellie walked over to her mother and signalled that she needed a diaper change. Cora picked her up and went into the house with her.
"What do you think?" Ethan asked, clearly eager to know if I wanted to comfort Cora.
"I think what I said. I don't believe that would count in this case."
"Well, I hope you're right. Otherwise, we might have to plan to move to Alaska."
"Alaska?" I looked at him in disbelief. "We need to move further than that if Ray wins."
Ethan chuckled bitterly. "Yeah, he would make sure no customers would be willing to talk to us. Then he would ensure that Mum paid him a lot in compensation. He would continue to hunt Cora and Ellie."
I nodded in agreement. "Exactly."
"No, we can't let him win," I said.
Soon, Cora returned with Ellie. He didn't seem to mind me being there with her at all. Perhaps she was just really concerned about the outcome of the trial.
Mum came in shortly after and invited us inside for dinner. She appeared fine, as if nothing had happened, and this time, I couldn't see any worry on her face.
After we ate, Cora took our little one into the bathroom, and after they were ready, she even brought her out for a good night kiss to me.
We were sitting in the living room, engaged in a small discussion, when Cora walked in. She looked directly at me, but there was a hint of frustration.
"Spencer, Ellie keeps calling for you. She doesn’t want to go to sleep."
I stood up and approached Cora. "Do you mind if I go in to see her?"
She sighed and shook her head as I walked towards the bedroom, and she followed me. Ellie sat on her bed and smiled widely when she saw me.
"Why don't you want to sleep, Ellie?" I asked her, but she replied with a few words that were hard to understand.
"Do you want Daddy to stay here until you fall asleep?"
She nodded, and with that, she lay on her back. I covered her up before I lay down next to her. However, the little one glanced at Cora. "Mummy, come," she said. In frustration, Cora walked toward the bed and lay down on Ellie's other side. When both of us were around her, she closed her eyes.
I glanced at Cora and noticed her evident dislike for the situation, but I felt happy. I hoped Ellie could work the impossible and help us get back together. Once Ellie drifted into a deep sleep, Cora carefully lifted her and placed her in bed.
To my surprise, she lay back next to me. I wasn't sure what to do, but my heart pounded so fast that it felt like it was about to jump out of my chest.
"Spencer?" she asked softly.
"Yes," I replied.