Chapter 129

Fiona

I should feel guilty about how unbothered I am that Ethan fired Jack, but I can’t find it in myself to give Jack any more energy than I did. He was a black spot on my conscience and now that he’s gotten part of the punishment he deserves, I honestly feel a bit refreshed.

Thinking about Jack being fired makes me think about what Ethan did, and my cheeks heat up. Embarrassment floods me at the same time my body heats up from the memories of Ethan fucking me during the phone call.

I’d never done anything like that, and if I don’t lie to myself, I kind of liked it.

He laid his claim on me, and Jack heard it. Jack knows that I’m not his anymore, not that I have been for a while.

The finality of our actions provides comfort, especially since Ethan and I have been getting closer over the last week alone. I probably shouldn’t think about the problems that can come in the near future, but I believe that Ethan and I will be able to lean on each other and work through anything that comes our way.

My phone rings, interrupting my thoughts.

Mr. Adair’s name lights up my screen and any thought of Ethan and I together is chased out of my mind. After a week away, I nearly forgot we weren’t done dealing with my court cases.

“Hello, this is Fiona,” I answer.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Bowen,” he greets kindly. “I am terribly sorry to interrupt your workday, but there are a few things we need to discuss.”

“Yes, I’m so sorry for not informing you that I was out all week last week. I should’ve thought to tell you,” I say, fiddling with the hem of my blouse. I did notice the two missed calls from Mr. Adair, but I hadn’t called him back.

Guilt nibbles at my chest and I cringe.

“No problem, Ms. Bown,” he tells me calmly. “Though, I would like to meet. Would you be able to come by my office today?”

I glance into Ethan’s office.

“I’ll head over soon if that works for you.”

“I’ll have someone waiting to let you up when you arrive, Ms. Bowen. See you soon,” he says before we end the call.

I hadn’t been planning to leave work early today but luckily I am pretty much done with my assignments. I have a few I can shift to work on tomorrow, so I make myself a note and post it on my computer so I don’t forget.

Then, I walk over to Ethan’s office.

“Hey.”

Ethan lifts his head, looking at me as I poke my head into the door.

“Hey,” he returns, smiling.

“I need to take the rest of the day off. My lawyer wants to talk to me about something with my cases and needs me to come by. Could I leave early?” I ask, not wanting to seem like I’m trying to tell him what to do.

I don’t think he’ll mind, but it’s only polite to ask. Most employers might not like an employee asking for half a day off so casually, but by the smile on Ethan’s face, I don’t think he minds.

“Do you need someone to drive you? I can take you and then we could head home afterwards—”

“I don’t want to take your time away from work,” I tell him, waving off the kind offer. “I know you have a lot to catch up on since we were gone, and you don’t need the distraction.”

Even though I say no, I’d love for him to come with me. I feel like anything he does with me is easier, which could be a problem if I become dependent on him, but we also agreed to trust each other and be with each other.

So, when he asks again, I accept.

“Actually, yes. I’d like if you came with me. I don’t think you’ll love being bored while we talk, but having company and support,” I tell him, and his eyes widen slightly. He’s shocked, but if we’re in this relationship, we’re going to be all in. This is my way of showing Ethan I want to be near him, and I want to share my life with him.

“Of course. I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t truly want to be with you,” Ethan says, stands from his desk, and grabs his keys. I watch him walk over stare at him, for probably too long, as he holds his hand out to me.

The moment my hand is in his, the tingles start up, traveling up my arm and settling in my chest. Instead of questioning the feeling, I tighten my grip on Ethan’s hand and let him lead me away.

“I’m glad you could come, Ms. Bowen,” Mr. Adair says before glancing behind me. “And you as well, Mr. Montgomery. I see Ms. Bowen still has some powerful backing, which will be useful for her in the future I believe.”

The statement strikes me as odd, but I brush it off when Ethan merely nods. I can’t tell what he thinks about the statement, but it doesn’t bother him, so I decide not to let it bother me.

“Thank you. Now, what were you going to tell me? Is there something wrong with the upcoming case?” I ask nervously. My fingers immediately find the hem of my blouse, twisting it as my stomach clenches.

Don’t lawyers always act really nice before they provide bad news?

“I received a call from higher up that your ex-husband was fired,” Mr. Adair states, and I nod in confirmation. “Well, once he was officially fired from Silverclaw Law Firm, I was notified. This information, as well as the reasoning and evidence behind his termination will be useful for us in the upcoming trial.”

“Is there anything you need from me?”

“No, but I wanted to inform you that we have reported Jack for obtaining illegal assets as well as the theft of your inheritance. Do you have a list of witnesses that could sign a document saying Jack was aware and purposefully misappropriated your funds?

I think for a moment, squeezing Ethan’s hand as his fingers slide into mine.

“The only people I can think about are my father, my stepsister, and my stepmother, but I don’t know if any of them would help since they were technically helping Jack the whole time,” I tell him, letting the gentle brush of Ethan’s thumb on the back of my hand keep me calm.

Mr. Adair hums then nods in understanding.

“What happens now?” I ask. I’ve never been through a case like this before, just the divorce case, but I know this will at least be slightly different. “Will I get my mother’s money back?”

“Well, that is technically up to the government since they are preparing the primary case against Jack. They are merely asking for statements and evidence we have gathered,” he answers, and I nod, squeezing Ethan’s hand again.

It’s then that I realize he hasn’t spoken since we got here, and I’m kind of glad. He’s silently supporting me without butting in and taking over.

I make a mental note to thank him later as I focus on Mr. Adair’s explanation, “Jack has dug himself into a deep hole of illegal assets, theft, and a few other things. There’s a strong possibility that you’ll be called to the witness stand, so I want you to be prepared. Just be truthful about what you know and what you’ve seen, and you’ll be fine.”

“Do we have a date yet?”

Mr. Adair nods and passes me a folder, answering, “I appealed to include the inheritance case, so you will need to attend the hearing next Friday. Everything else will be combined into this one case to save time and money.”

So soon.

All of this should be finished in a little over a week.