“Sophie’s lawyer made an offer,” he said.
Essie’s stomach dipped. “And?”
Frank huffed out a laugh that held no humor. “It’s ridiculous. Outrageous, really.”
Essie braced herself. “What do they want?”
“She wants half,” he said. “Half of everything I have. Retirement savings, the houses, the boat, the accounts your name is on—everything.”
Essie blinked in stunned silence. She waited for the part where he said he was exaggerating or that she’d misheard. That couldn’t be right. How on earth did Sophie think she was entitled to all of that?
But he just squeezed her hand tighter.
“She claims I used her inheritance to fund my retirement,” Frank continued. “And thatyoupressured me into doing it.”
Disbelief warred in Essie’s chest. “Frank, I never?—”
“I know you didn’t,” he cut in gently. “Of course I know that.”
Essie pressed her free hand to her mouth. Tears pricked her eyes. She felt confused, betrayed, and heartbroken, all jumbled into a single throbbing ache.
“She’s not just angry,” Frank said softly. “She obviously wants to hurt us.”
Essie nodded, swallowing past the emotion squeezing her throat. “What do we do?”
“We fight,” he said, voice firm and steady. “We let Bob do what he’s being paid to do. We don’t give in.”
Essie looked up into the eyes of her groom, the man who’d done nothing but be sweet and kind and loving. The man who had only ever wanted to give his children the world.
“Okay.” She nodded with new resolve. “We fight.”
“This is not going to be easy on either of us, but I feel like it’s going to be harder on you. Are you going to be all right?”
Essie lifted her chin. “I’ll be fine. You’re the one I’m worried about. This is your daughter, after all.”
With a sigh of acknowledgment, Frank leaned his forehead against hers, and for a few breaths, they just held onto each other.
Essie was so angry with Sophie. Didn’t she know how this was going to affect her father? Her brother? Family was supposed to be a safe place.
Sophie seemed determined to tear it all apart.
“Is she still going to visit Chad?”
“Yes,” Frank said. “Which reminds me, I need to call him and fill him in.”
“He’s not going to like this.” That young man had a good head on his shoulders and a family to protect. “This affects him now, don’t you think?”
“I do.” Frank got to his feet. “Let me call him and then let’s order in. You don’t need to cook tonight. You deserve a break.”
“I don’t mind, but that would be nice.” She hugged her ereader to her chest. “Would you mind if I filled the girls in? I know they’re concerned.”
“You mean the Queen Bees?” He smiled and shook his head. “You can share with them all you want. We need our friends in times like these.”
“We do.” As he went to the bedroom to call Chad, she got her phone off the counter and sent a message to the group chat.
She gathered her thoughts as her finger hovered over the keyboard, then she typed:We just heard from Sophie’s lawyer. She’s demanding half of everything. It’s so ridiculous. I am frustrated beyond measure.
The flurry of responses was immediate.
