Her expression made it clear she saw that as a trick question. “I love my son.”
In her own way, she likely did. “I assume that’s why you gave him to me. You knew you needed help, didn’t you? You wanted what’s best for him.”
She jumped on that with desperate haste. “Yes! I knew you could take care of him. It was past time for you to have a turn.”
He’d have been there from the start if she had seen fit to tell him...but he resisted saying so. “I agree. I’ll see to him from now on.”
With belligerence, she argued, “He’s still my son. I have a right to see him.”
She’d signed away her rights, but again, he tried to keep things civil. “I agree.”
That stunned her silent.
“I think you know that it’d be best if you were...in better shape first?” Corbin rushed on before she could take offense. “You spent ten years caring for him on your own.”
“And it wasn’t easy!”
He acknowledged that with a nod. “Now that you know he’s safe with me, you should concentrate on yourself for a while. This could be your turn at a better life. A life that could start right now, don’t you think?” He couldn’t say she looked interested, but at least she was listening. “There are programs, Darcie. I understand they can help. I’d like you to complete one.” He knew it would only work if she wanted it, too, so he needed her cooperation. “What do you say?”
She took plenty of time to think about it. “I’m not admitting I have a problem, because I don’t. Besides, even if I finished rehab, then what? I’m back out on the streets?”
“Not if I repaid you for those ten years of single parenting.”
Stark suspicion narrowed her eyes. “Repay me?”
“Consider it back child support.” After long talks with his lawyer, he was able to drop a number that made her eyes bulge.
Calculating, she licked her lips as she watched him. “I guess that would be a start.”
A start—and a finish. He wouldn’t allow her to manipulate him more than she already had. “After you’ve completed rehab, I’d not only give you that money in monthly payments, but I’d also help you get back on your feet.”
She sat up a little higher in the bed. “Help me, how?”
“I’ll get you set up in an apartment, with several months paid in advance. I’ll also make sure you have reliable transportation so you can hold down a job. But, Darcie? It’ll all be dependent on you staying clean.”
Skipping past his stipulation, she asked, “Why would you do any of that?”
Here was where it got tricky. He couldn’t say she was a problem he wanted to resolve. That attitude would infuriate anyone, but especially someone in her stage of recovery. He’d planned his response in advance, and he hoped it was good enough to convince her. “Despite everything, I think Justin would be happier if he knows you’re okay.”
“Of course he would. I’m his mother. I bet he misses me, doesn’t he?”
Corbin studied her. Already he could see the wheels turning and knew she was making plans of her own. Plans that weren’t about their son. Plans that would do nothing to make Justin’s life easier.
“I’m only doing this for him.” Sitting forward, his elbows on his knees and his fingers laced together, Corbin stared into her still hazy eyes. He needed to make sure that she understood every word. “I’ll only assist you as long as it’s in his best interests. If you can’t be sober, then I’d have to rethink everything.”
Angry color rushed into her pale face. “You bastard. You think you can call all the shots, don’t you?”
“No.” Life was never that simple. He stood to pace around the room. “For now, if you want to see Justin, it would only be through supervised visits.”
“He’s my son!”
Her raised voice didn’t faze him. In contrast, his own was soft with conviction. “You gave him to me. You signed away your rights, remember? I’m willing to work with you, but every decision I make will be centered on whatever is best for Justin.”
“I’ll sue you,” she threatened with heat.
“If you want to take your chances in court, then we will. But if you go that route, I won’t give you a dime.” He looked around the room. “When you leave here, you’ll be on your own. Think about that.” Before he lost his temper, he headed for the door.
“Wait.”
The desperation in her tone tore at him, again causing sympathy to war with resolve. He turned back to face her.
With her gaze downcast, she muttered, “I want to get better.”
Closing his eyes in relief, Corbin nodded. “Then I’ll do what I can.” In that moment, Darcie looked small and afraid. His heart ached, not only for his son, but for her, too. No one wanted a life of dependency. No one made a conscious decision to be weak, to be arrested—or to court death through drugs. It was one of those awful things that happened, and he quickly counted his blessings that his parents had given him such a solid foundation.
Darcie rubbed one eye, making her look very young and frail. “Cops will be in to talk to me today. I... I don’t want to face them alone.”
He stepped closer again. “You want me to stay?” The idea had merit, because it would give him a clear view of what he was up against.
Her chin angled up. “Unless you have something better to do.”
Parenting his son was definitely better, but he shook his head. “I can stay for a few more hours.”
Relief stole some of the strain from her features. “I figure they’ll lock me up this time.”
This time?
She turned to look out the window. “It’s not fair. None of it is my fault and now I have nothing.”
If it wasn’t her fault, then whose? Did she blame Justin for being born? Corbin for not somehow knowing he had a son, even though she hadn’t told him? “Let’s figure out what to expect first, okay? We’ll take it one step at a time.”
Her frowning gaze returned to his face. “You promise you won’t leave me hanging?”
“I’ll keep my word, you’ll keep yours and we’ll both get it worked out.”
* * *
Ivey ended the call with Corbin just before she pulled into the drive at his house. God, it had been good to finally hear from him. She’d been so worried, anticipating the worst, wanting to be there with him but knowing that wasn’t a good idea.