Chapter 7 - The Escape|
I held Lily’s hand tightly as we walked toward the grand double doors of the Rosewood Estate.
Behind us, the wedding reception was collapsing into total bedlam. Guests were pulling out their phones, whispering furiously, and recording video of Vanessa screaming at Graham’s father. Whispers of “fraud,” “embezzlement,” and “stolen money” echoed off the high gilded ceilings.
As we reached the glass doors leading out to the valet, I heard fast footsteps behind us.
“Claire! Wait!”
I turned. Graham was walking quickly down the carpeted hallway toward us. He held a suit jacket over his arm.
“Are you okay?” he asked, stopping a few feet away. His eyes moved from me to Lily, his expression softening significantly.
“We’re fine,” I said honestly, feeling a strange surge of adrenaline keeping me upright. “I’m sorry about your wedding, Graham. I really am.”
“Don’t apologize,” Graham sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “You and Lily saved me from making the biggest mistake of my life. If I had signed that marriage certificate tonight, I would have been legally bound to a woman who was actively robbing my firm.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small leather business card holder. He slipped a plain black card out and handed it to me.
“That’s my personal cell number,” Graham said. “I’m calling the police to report the firm’s funds tonight. But tomorrow morning, I want you to come to my office.”
I hesitated, staring at the thick embossed card. “Why?”
“Because of the first part of that video,” Graham explained softly. “The part about your father’s trust. If Vanessa and your mother concealed his original will and stole your fifty percent share, that’s fraud and grand theft. My firm handles trust litigation, Claire. I want to represent you.”
“I... I can’t afford an attorney like you, Graham,” I admitted, my cheeks flushing slightly. “I’m a middle school English teacher.”
Graham looked down at Lily, who gave him a cautious, tiny smile.
“Consider it pro bono,” Graham said quietly. “Or consider it payback for saving my life tonight. Please. Come to the office at nine AM.”
May you like
I looked at the card, then at my daughter. For the first time in three years, the crushing weight on my chest felt a tiny bit lighter.
“Okay,” I said. “We’ll be there.”
