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“And now she’s a secretary!” Marlo couldn’t wrap her head around the secretary job.
“Being a secretary isn’t all that bad.” Beth, his new administrative assistant, added to the conversation. Harrison knew he liked her.
Marlo turned on her in an instant. “Hawthornes are not secretaries.”
“Her name is not Hawthorne, ma’am, and she is very good at her job,” Beth shot back at the older woman. She too, did not say what Sera’s job really was.
There was no way either Harrison or Beth were going to give the couple any further information about Sera, especially if the knowledge would make them want her back simply because of her position. Sera was way more than her job title.
“I don’t care,” Marlo huffed.
“At least we know where she is for her to sign the will this year.” Harrison said as he tried to distract them from obsessing over Sera and her job. Sera was a top executive at the law firm and had been for years.
“Gaines, he’ll need to change the will now,” Marlo stated to her husband.
“I’ll call him later this week, and we can redo it as soon as possible, dear.” Harrison was sure the man was going to pat the woman on her head with his condescension.
“We can change it now. We can just tweak a few numbers and print it off. Then we will sign it,” Harrison said, ushering the couple back into the office. He shot a smile at Beth, who gave him a thumbs up.
“Good, let’s get it done as soon as possible in case something happens to us,” Gaines said, as if death was fast approaching.
Watching them settle back on the couch, they looked uncomfortable, nothing like their teenage granddaughter had over the weekend. A granddaughter that they might know nothing about, not to mention Sera’s younger one.
He had been in such a hurry to get this done for Sera because she deserved more than the fifteen percent that they were leaving to her. Now that they knew she wasn’t rolling in money, they might get it over the twenty-five percent they hadn’t surpassed over the years.
“So, what is the split going to be now?”
“The couple looked at each other, and then Gaines said, “No split. Kaine will get it all. The girls are such a disappointment that I couldn’t in good conscience leave them anything.” His wife nodded enthusiastically in agreement.
Harrison wanted to throw something at the couple. Who were these people? They had finally found their daughter, and it meant nothing to them. Nothing at all. Probably because she was only a secretary in their minds. Not worth their time.
Turning away from the computer, Harrison crossed his arms. “I’m going to tell you to kindly find another lawyer. I feel like I cannot continue to represent you because I am friends with Sera’s family.”
“What?” Gaines stated indignity.
“Sera is my friend, and even if she doesn’t know how shitty you’re being to her, I do,” he explained, getting up from his desk. “Your will from last year will stand until I hear from your new lawyer.”
“Well I never,” Marlo stated.
“No, Marlo, I never. To treat your own child like this. No wonder she doesn’t have any contact with you.”
“By our choice,” Gaines argued.
“Has she ever tried to contact you over the years? When her children were born?”
“Of course she would have children, money-hungry children.” Marlo put her hand to her heart, not thinking of the lives she had missed knowing.
“I assure you they are not. They’re the best kids I have ever met, and I hope they never meet you two.” He had to get out of his office and away from them.
Out the door, he smiled at Beth. “Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne will be leaving soon, and they will be looking for another lawyer when they go. Give them the name of whatever shitty lawyer you can think of. He’ll still be better than they deserve.”
“Sure thing, boss.” Beth didn’t even blink an eye at the request, and Harrison was sure she already had an idea of where to send the awful couple.
Down the hallway, he went to Sera’s office. Her door was shut, but he didn’t hesitate to open it. Letting it shut behind him, he saw she was standing, looking out the window. Her posture was rigid.
“Your parents are shitty people.” Harrison wanted to pull her into his arms but held off. He knew she was strong enough to get through this without him. She had before.
“It’s been a long time since I saw them. They got old,” she said to the window.
