Charlie answered cautiously. “Charlotte Burke speaking.”
“Charlie, it’s Simon,” his voice came through, professional but with an edge of something she could not quite identify. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“What do you want, Simon?” Charlie asked, keeping her tone neutral.
“Holly’s not taking my calls,” Simon said. “I’ve left several messages.”
“So you thought you’d call me instead of taking the hint?” Charlie replied. “Because I think the only way you’ll get a response is if you message her saying I’ve signed the divorce papers and sent her photo evidence.”
“That’s fair,” Simon admitted, which surprised Charlie. “But that’s actually why I’m calling. I wanted to let you know that I’m ready to sign the papers. I’d like to meet with Holly to finalize everything.”
Charlie’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Why now? What changed?”
“Does it matter?” Simon asked. “Isn’t this what Holly wants?”
“It matters if you’re playing another game,” Charlie said firmly. “If this is another manipulation tactic to get information from her about the inn…”
“It’s not,” Simon interrupted. “Look, I know I haven’t exactly been cooperative. But I’m ready to sign now. That’s all Holly needs to know.”
Charlie was quiet for a moment, her legal mind working through possibilities.What was Simon’s angle?He never did anything without a reason.
“There’s something else,” Simon continued.
“Of course there is,” Charlie said sarcastically.
“It’s not what you think,” Simon said quickly. “I wanted to ask why no one told me about Gabe’s new relationship.”
Charlie felt her spine stiffen with alarm. “Who told you about that?”
“The only one who apparently still thinks enough of me to stay in touch,” Simon stated. “My granddaughter told me last night.” Charlie could hear a mixture of satisfaction and hurt in his voice.
“Trinity called you?” Charlie asked, genuinely surprised. She had not expected that.
“Don’t sound so surprised,” Simon said, his tone defensive now. “She’s my granddaughter, you know. Just because Holly and I are getting divorced doesn’t mean I stop being Trinity’s grandfather.” There was a pause. “Or Gabe’s father.”
Charlie felt a surge of protective anger. “Simon, if you’re trying to manipulate Holly through Trinity, if you’re using that little girl to get information or leverage—” She let the rest of the threat hang in the air.
“I’m not,” Simon cut her off. “Trinity contacted me. She sent me photos and told me about Jane. That’s all.”
“That had better be all,” Charlie warned, her voice dropping lower and harder. “Because I’m telling you right now, if you try to manipulate Holly through her granddaughter, Gabe will not like that. At all. And neither will I.”
Simon was quiet for a long moment. When hespoke again, his voice sounded genuinely hurt. “My son never tells me anything about his life. He didn’t even tell me about his injuries.”
Charlie felt a flicker of something that might have been sympathy, but she pushed it away. Simon had made his choices. “What did you expect, Simon? You basically ridiculed Gabe’s career choice for years. You never supported his decision to become a Navy SEAL. And now you’re surprised he doesn’t confide in you?”
“I just—” Simon started.
“Gabe is a hero,” Charlie continued, not letting him finish. “He’s saved countless lives. He’s dedicated his entire adult life to serving his country. That’s a lot more than I can say about you and your corporate law career defending developers who destroy family legacies.”
Simon was silent on the other end of the line. Charlie could hear him breathing, could almost feel his discomfort through the phone.
“I didn’t call to get into all that,” Simon said finally, his voice tight. “I called to let you know I’m ready to sign the divorce papers. But I’d like to meet Holly alone.”
“Absolutely not,” Charlie said immediately. “There’s no way I’m letting you meet with my sister alone. Not after everything you’ve put her through.”
“You can come with her and witness me signing the papers. I’m not asking you to leave the premises,” Simon said, sounding tired now. “You can sit in the café. Just let us have a fewmoments of privacy, please. To say what needs to be said without an audience.”
Charlie considered this. Every instinct told her it was a bad idea. But if Simon was genuinely ready to sign, and if Holly could finally be free of this marriage that had been holding her back...
