I satin the lawyer’s office in Downtown Victoria with Liam beside me, my hand tightly wrapped in his.
When the lawyer walked in, I recognized him immediately.
Eric Lambert.
I had seen him before at the restaurant, when I had signed those papers.
A faint unease stirred inside me as I tried to piece it together.
How did Cole know him?
Eric shook our hands gently, offering his condolences with sincerity before taking his seat. Then he began reading the will.
“I, Cole Harris, being of sound mind and body, do hereby declare that this document is my last will.”
My chest tightened.
“I am married to Jiya Flores, and I have no children.”
My brows furrowed slightly.Had he changed his will recently?
“I give all my personal property and money held in my name to Jiya Flores and her children, which includes the restaurant that we both own.”
The words hit me like a sudden jolt.
The restaurant? What did he mean?
And then it clicked.
Cole had been the owner all along.
All those documents I had signed… the signatures I had seen countless times… how had I never noticed?
I sat there, stunned, as Eric continued.
“In terms of my position in my parents’ company, which my brother runs, I want Jiya to be a part of it. If she chooses not todo so, she will get 85% of the profits it generates from my share. The remaining 15% is to be donated to charity.”
I shook my head slightly, still trying to process it.
I didn’t want his money. I didn’t want his company. That business had nothing to do with me. I knew nothing about construction or development. The thought of stepping into that world felt foreign.
I shifted in my seat, already thinking about how I could refuse it.
When Eric finished reading, he reached into his folder and handed me an envelope.
“Cole had written this letter a couple of months ago.”
My fingers trembled as I took it from him.
He gave us a small nod before leaving the room, allowing Liam and me a moment alone.
“Liam…” I paused, turning to him. “I don’t want your company. I don’t know the first thing about construction. I am more than happy to transfer everything to you. I have my restaurant and the cafés… and I’m more than happy with that.”
“Jiya,” he said softly, squeezing my hand. “If you think that I thought you were ever after the money or the business, you’re wrong.”
His eyes held mine.
“I know you’re not that kind of person. Cole told me about your struggles… about how you built everything on your own. I could never see you any other way except the woman who saved my brother and brought him back to me.”
