Chapter 62

I honestly never thought I would find myself back in another conference hall...Well, at least not so soon.

The entire ordeal had come together much quicker than I would have anticipated. The moment we spoke to Daniel and told him what needed to happen, the man immediately set everything up. He’d booked the conference hall and reached out to all the major news outlets, letting them know that they would have the exclusive chance to hear James and I’s side of the things.

I could tell that Daniel was a bit surprised by my request, considering my last experience dealing with the press on this grand scale.

Just as I’d anticipated, the place was packed. James and I were seated at a large table while facing several dozen chattering reporters and eager photographers.

Part of me wondered if I should have tried to put on a better front for the sake of public appearance. But I didn’t have it in me to put on a smile. Everyone was wise enough to know that this whole show was not under decent circumstances.

Thanks to Peter and his disgusting need for revenge, the public knew only part of the story. It was up to us to explain the rest and hope that it prevented any further problems.

I slightly glanced to the side to steal a glance at James. Ever since our discussion in the study, I felt as though we reached a strange impasse in our relationship. It wasn’t as though we were on bad terms—just awkward terms. Which, in a weird way, I could somewhat understand. Having thrown out the fact that the man was incapable of revealing his own feelings, I didn’t blame James for choosing to keep to himself.

I fully expected to handle the majority of the questions that were going to be thrown our way. I was ready. I was ready for this whole matter to be over and done with.

I gave a slight nod to Daniel who proceeded to stop up to the main podium and announce the crowd. “Everyone, thank you all for taking the time to come out here today. We know that the most recent news that has been unjustly accusing both Mr. and Mrs. Derek of some rather terrible and slanderish things. But we hope that you will all remain respectful when asking your questions. Thank you.”

The second Daniel stopped, the room erupted in a loud wave of muffled voices and eager looks. Soon, the first question was tossed out by some reporter and eventually led to an avalanche of other stifling questions.

“Is it true that you’re not carrying James Derek’s baby?”

“Were you having an affair that occurred while the two of you were together?”

“How much of what Peter Miller said is true?”

“Mr. Derek, are you going to divorce Mia, now that this scandal has ultimately affected Crescent Moon’s stock and current holdings?”

I sank back in my chair and felt my confidence dwindle away by the second. James, on the other hand, leaned over the table and gave the room a violent glare.

He let out a heavy growl that silenced the room. “Enough! Do you people want answers or are you going to waste our time speculating all day?!”

I released a shaky breath and barely cleared my throat. “First, like Daniel had mentioned earlier, I’d like to thank each and every one of you for coming here today to give James and me a chance to explain our situation.”

Many of the reporters were ready to take down notes and were practically sitting on the edge of their seats.

“I’m sure that many of you are wondering just how much of Peter Miller’s story is actually true.” Many nodded their heads. “Well, I’ll tell you the truth...The truth is...he and I were together prior to James and I ever marrying. Our relationship lasted a little over a year and I was truly convinced that he and I were going to last. Things were going well until they weren’t.”

They all continued to listen intently.

“You see, the whole reason why James and I have come back into each other’s lives was because I had gone to Crescent Moon in hopes of getting a job to support me and my baby. What Peter failed to tell all of you was that he’d abandoned me and left me alone to fend for myself.”

The room broke out into numerous startled gasps.

“So, I went to Crescent Moon for an interview and honestly, it wasn’t going well. I thought that I’d failed until somehow James stepped in and gave me a chance.” A warm, comforting feeling spread through my chest and I found myself smiling. “The moment I saw James...It was as though everything I once felt for him when we were younger had come rushing back.”

The crowd let out a collective hum.

“As many of you know, James and I have known each other for many years prior to this arrangement, it was not a relationship that was initially founded on romance and love. It was a set-up that was mutually beneficial,” I explained.

For the first time since this whole conference started, James finally spoke up. “I am the one who initiated this marriage. I knew that Mia’s baby wasn’t mine well in advance before this arrangement was made.”

One of the reporters spoke out. “And it doesn’t bother you that she’s carrying someone else’s child?”

James shook his head. “Not in the slightest. I know for a fact that I will be both a better provider and father than Peter Miller would ever have been.”

“James has always put my security as well as my baby’s first. Peter is the one who wanted nothing to do with either of us.”

“That’s not true!” Peter yelled out from the back of the room.

My eyes widened and a sharp gasp escaped the back of my throat before I got a chance to stop it.

‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’ I thought blankly.

Just when I thought everything was working out so smoothly, something as insane as this had to happen. The room exploded in chaotic gasps and mutters. People were snapping photos like crazy and trying to get Peter to speak up.

I was both stunned and utterly appalled by the fact that he was able to make such an unsanctioned appearance here.