Amelia sat in the stiff, leather chair of her lawyer's office, her fingers anxiously twisting the ring she had yet to take off. The weight of the past few weeks seemed to press down on her all at once as she watched her lawyer, Heather, skim through the divorce settlement David had proposed.
Heather's frown deepened with each page she flipped through, and Amelia's heart sank. It's bad, isn't it?
Finally, Heather looked up, adjusting her glasses. "Amelia, this… this is completely one-sided," she said, her tone calm but firm. "He's offering you practically nothing. The financial support he's suggesting is minimal, and he's pushing for joint custody, which could be complicated given his work schedule."
Amelia swallowed hard. She had expected David to be difficult, but seeing it laid out like this, in black and white, made her stomach twist. "But he knows I haven't worked full-time in years," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "How am I supposed to manage?"
Heather leaned forward, her expression softening. "I know this is overwhelming, Amelia. But we're not going to let him walk all over you. You've contributed a great deal to this marriage—raising the twins, supporting him while he built his career. That counts, whether he wants to acknowledge it or not."
Amelia nodded, her hands tightening into fists in her lap. She had been bracing herself for this, but it didn't make it any easier. David had always been controlling, always used his power to get what he wanted. And now, even as he was walking out of her life, he was still trying to take everything from her.
"You have options," Heather continued. "We can push back on these terms. You're entitled to more than what he's offering."
Amelia stared down at the papers in front of her. The words swam in and out of focus, a mixture of legal jargon and harsh realities. "I don't know if I can handle a drawn-out fight," she admitted, her voice shaking. "I just want this to be over."
Heather placed a hand on hers. "I understand. But you also need to protect yourself and your children. You don't have to settle for less because it's easier. You deserve better than this."
Amelia exhaled, a long, shaky breath. She had spent so long putting everyone else first—David, the twins, their life together—that she had forgotten how to fight for herself. But now, with her marriage over, she didn't have a choice.
"I want to fight back," she said, her voice steadier now. "I won't let him take everything."
Heather nodded, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. "Good. We'll file our counteroffer and make sure he knows you're not going to be pushed around."
Amelia left the office feeling a mix of exhaustion and newfound resolve. She hadn't realized how much she had been holding in, how much fear and uncertainty had been weighing on her. But Heather's words had given her something she hadn't felt in a long time: hope. She wasn't alone in this. She had someone in her corner, ready to help her fight for what she deserved.
As Amelia made her way down the crowded street, her phone buzzed. She pulled it out of her purse, glancing at the message.
Unknown Number: I hope your meeting went well. If you need any advice, I'm here.
She frowned, stopping in her tracks. The message was unexpected—and more importantly, she had no idea who had sent it. Her thumb hovered over the screen as she reread the words.
Who is this?
She hadn't given her number to anyone at the event.
Another buzz. The reply came quickly.
Unknown Number: Ethan.
Amelia's heart skipped a beat. Ethan? Ethan Blackwell? She hadn't expected to hear from him again after their brief encounter, let alone for him to somehow have her number. The unease from that night returned, but so did the intrigue. Ethan Blackwell wasn't someone who entered your life by accident.
After a moment, she finally typed a response, feeling a mixture of curiosity and caution.
Thanks. It was… eye-opening. I might take you up on that advice. But how did you get this number?
Connections have their advantages. I hope that's not a problem.
Amelia frowned at the screen, feeling a mix of discomfort and curiosity. Connections? How had he gotten her number? What did he mean by that?
It's not a problem, just... surprising.
A brief pause followed before he replied.
I know how these events can feel daunting, especially when you're starting over. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here.
His words struck a chord, and for a moment, she hesitated, contemplating the vulnerability she felt. Was it too soon to engage? She was still trying to piece her life back together. But there was something about Ethan's offer that felt genuine, and his earlier observation about her not fitting in echoed in her mind.
Thanks, I appreciate it. Just trying to find my footing again.
As she typed, she could feel her heart racing—a mix of apprehension and anticipation. What was it about Ethan that drew her in? She couldn't shake the sense that he saw something in her, something beyond the surface. He seemed to recognize her struggle, the quiet strength she had buried beneath years of supporting David and managing their household.
But what did Ethan want from her? Was it merely a desire to help, or was there something deeper? There was an undeniable chemistry that sparked between them, an unspoken understanding that left her both intrigued and wary. Was he genuinely interested in her well-being, or was he simply looking to gain something for himself?
It takes time. If you want, we can meet up for coffee. Just a casual conversation—no pressure.
The invitation sent a thrill down her spine. Was she ready to face this enigmatic man again? The idea of meeting him outside of the crowded event was both enticing and terrifying.
I'll think about it. Just trying to settle in right now.
She hit send, her fingers lingering over the screen as she felt the weight of uncertainty. Ethan had a reputation, and she couldn't ignore the cautionary tales she'd heard. But there was an undeniable curiosity tugging at her—a desire to understand the man behind the powerful persona.
No rush. I'm here if you need me.
Amelia exhaled slowly, staring at the screen as the conversation ended. The cool evening air around her felt heavier, the shadows deepening as the sun dipped below the horizon. She glanced around, half-expecting to see Ethan standing nearby, but the street was empty.
She slipped her phone back into her bag, her mind racing with thoughts of the unexpected connection. The last thing she needed right now was to get distracted, but there was something about Ethan's offer that felt genuine. He wasn't pushy, wasn't trying to insert himself into her problems. But he was there, offering support if she wanted it.
It was more than David had ever done.
Later that evening, Amelia sat at her kitchen table, staring at the stack of papers Heather had given her. The twins were finally asleep, the house quiet, but her mind was racing. David's settlement was unfair, but the thought of dragging out the divorce in court made her stomach churn. She hated confrontation, hated the idea of a long, drawn-out battle.
But this was her life. Her children's future. She couldn't afford to back down now.
As Amelia thought about Ethan's offer, her mind replayed their earlier conversation, weighing the sincerity behind his words. She knew she needed to stay focused, but the possibility of having someone like Ethan in her corner was both comforting and unsettling.
Maybe this was a sign that she wasn't as alone as she thought.
She decided to keep Ethan's offer in mind, not ready to act yet but acknowledging that she might need help navigating both her legal battles and her emotional turmoil. The rest of the night passed with a mix of worry and cautious optimism, her resolve to fight for her children strengthened by the mysterious yet supportive presence of Ethan Blackwell.