Going back to that remote, stagnant village wasn’t an option. To survive, I found myself taking a job at a small restaurant.
The owner’s kindness shone through as he agreed to pay me four hundred dollars a month, along with meals and a roof over my head. It was a much-needed flicker of warmth in the cold shadow of my extended neglect.
Mason held fast to his word, and within days, I received the court summons.
The trial was fated to unfold on my eighteenth birthday, a bitter twist of fate.
The Laurier family, with their vast wealth and influence, hired the most prestigious lawyer in the province, determined to see me end up behind bars.
While I was struggling financially and could not afford a lawyer, the court, showing some compassion, arranged for one to be assigned to me. Garrett Payne was his name, a young man with striking allure.
With a warm smile, he came to me, eager to listen and gather the details and fully grasp my situation.
Despite his warm demeanor, I sensed he was merely going through the motions. Winning this lawsuit seemed as likely as catching smoke with my bare hands.
Thus, I opted for silence from the very beginning, responding only with subtle nods or shakes of my head.
As Garrett asked a series of vague questions, his patience began to wane. “Miss Laurier, if you keep this up, I’ll find it difficult to help you.”
I answered with a serene composure, “You can’t help me; no one in this world can. Nonetheless, I appreciate your efforts, Lawyer Payne.”
Upon hearing this, Garrett’s demeanor shifted, warmth creeping into his expression. “Miss Laurier, let’s try a different approach. You can see me as a friend, and perhaps that will encourage you to share more.”
As I was prepared to open my heart under his gentle encouragement, Garrett’s phone vibrated on the table. My gaze was drawn to a familiar profile picture paired with a sweet message: [Darling, can you take Eliana shopping after work?]
In an instant, I felt as though I had fallen into a frozen pit, shivers racing through me. The selfie was unmistakable; the person in the photo was Eliana. It struck me like a bolt from the blue; they were together.
With the weight of the world pressing down on me, I inhaled deeply and firmly instructed Garrett to leave. Confusion flickered in his eyes, but my resolute demeanor eventually wore him down.