After giving her a minute to process that information, he added, “Denny protected what was yours from being lost to a man who’d take a baseball bat to your home and possessions while you and your children hid in fear for your lives.”
Her eyes went bright with tears.
Julian handed her a tissue.“I’m sorry to be blunt like that, but it’s the truth.I’m not just saying this because he’s my friend, but Denny protected you and your assets.He did you a huge favor.”
“I guess the good news is now I can afford to pay you.”
“No charge for Denny’s sister.He’s been my friend for twenty years.”
“That’s very kind of you.Everyone has been so kind.”Isla covered her face with the tissue.“I’m sorry.”
“I’ll give you a minute.”
He left his office, closing the door.
“Everything all right?”Mattie asked.
“It will be.Not today, but in time.”
“Her kids are precious.The little guy is so polite and inquisitive.They loved the fish.”
“I figured they would.”
“Are you okay?You look strange in the eyes.”
He loved the way Mattie said things—and how well she knew him, which was helpful most of the time.“This is a tough one.”
“Aren’t they all?”
“Some are worse than others.Is Carson in his office?”
“Haven’t seen him yet today.Want me to track him down?”
“Nah, I’ll text him.Any word from Marlon Beckett?”Julian was eager to get Cresley’s situation resolved before Beckett decided to go ahead and release dirt on her to the media.The picture of them having lunch at the Ivy hadn’t helped the situation, as Cresley was now concerned about publicity she didn’t need with a potential custody battle looming.
“Nothing yet.I’ve left him multiple messages and tracked down his management and left a message with them, too.He probably looked you up and realized it’d be easier to avoid you than deal with you.”
“That’s on-brand for him.Thanks for being thorough.”
Denny and the kids came down the hallway toward Julian’s office.
His friend’s gaze met his, full of questions.
Julian gave a subtle nod, indicating that Isla was still in his office.
“Is she okay?”Denny asked.
“She will be.I explained what could’ve happened to her assets if you’d told her about them sooner.I think she understands why you did it.”
“So she doesn’t hate my guts?”
“I don’t think so, but you’d have to ask her about that.”
“Come on, kiddos,” Denny said.“Let’s go find Mommy.”
Isla wasquiet as Denny drove them back to the apartment complex where she planned to spend the rest of the day cleaning up the mess her soon-to-be ex-husband had made of their home.While she was in the meeting with Julian Remington, she’d received a text from Officer Samuelson, letting her know that her apartment had been fully processed, and she was cleared to return.Please be careful, he’d added.There’s glass everywhere.
Even though she was relieved to hear she could return to her home, several other thoughts cycled through her mind on repeat as she processed the eventful morning.
