Free The Marriage Clause by Dahlia Rose Page B

she answered.
    She left it at that, not wanting to bring him down again with Celeste Covington’s nonsense and the fact that she was trying to destroy his life, their lives. She wouldn’t let that happen, and if Celeste wanted a fight she was about to get one. Mikael had more people than just her in his corner. You waged war on one and all the others would rally to his defense.  Mikael wasn’t some easy mark and Celeste was about to learn that the hard way.

Chapter Seven
     
    “I can’t believe this.” India paced the floor and rubbed her tummy. It was like baby Isabella was voicing her opinion as well. “What did she think she was going to gain by doing this?”
    Her grandmother watched her with worry on her face while Brownie sat tapping her fingers angrily on her thigh. Mikael sat back and she could see the lines of worry in his face even though he was trying to play it off.  He’d brought them all together when he got home to tell them what Celeste had done. Getting a lawyer to file a complaint with the Judge Advocate General of the military, she had lodged an outrageous complaint against Mikael for the charge of adultery and demanded compensation. It could ruin his career and drop him down in rank if that happened. It pissed India off that one woman could be so vicious, and she wanted to smack Celeste silly.
    “She wants money, the little trollop,” Brownie said. “And she doesn’t care who she has to run over to get it. I got a call from her today saying I could make this go away.”
    “Did she mention money, Brownie?” Mikael leaned forward. “That could prove a big asset to my JAG defense lawyer.”
    Brownie shook her head. “She’s much too smart for that, but the intent was clear and I recorded the call. While she never mentioned money it can show intent.”
    “How did she get a lawyer to file such a ridiculous charge anyway? It’s a military court, can a private lawyer even file papers there?” Gran asked.
    “He can, and even though he did it, a military lawyer will be assigned to actually run the case. Her lawyer will be there to look out for her interests,” Mikael answered. “We were never married, but she is claiming I intended to propose and you got between us and she should be compensated for that and the abuse I inflicted on her. Apparently I mentally abused her for the year we were together, and I have post traumatic stress disorder that I refused to get treated.”
    “But you have had evaluations after each tour and were cleared for work,” India said. “They have records of that.”
    Mikael nodded. “Yes, but it’s he said—she said, and this could put a big dent in my career. I could lose my MOS or be discharged if they even think I could possibly put the unit in harm’s way because I didn’t get treatment.”
    “That sneaky ass bitch. Oh I want to hit her,” India seethed.
    “You’re due in a few weeks, we’ll hit her for you, right Gran?” Brownie said. “I can still pack a punch for my age.”
    Mikael shook his head. “No one will make this worse by hitting anyone, we’ll do this the right way in court and I’ll be vindicated. India please sit down, I don’t like you pacing and working yourself up.”
    “I’m fine. Besides, walking is good, she is getting so heavy.” India smiled. “She’s running out of space.”
    “There is one thing we have and it’s our ace in the hole,” Brownie said suddenly and everyone turned their attention to her.  “The contract, my darlings. Our contract negates hers and it’s perfectly legal.”
    A slow smile spread across Gran’s face. “Yes, the contract, and they cannot say it’s not in our belief system to have betrothed you as children. It’s done all over the world.”
    Brownie nodded. “I’m originally from England and this was a regular occurrence. The Amish still practice courtship and betrothal and many families still do this. We can show our contract, and heck India, you’re pregnant. Our legal