“It's exactly that simple. The question isn’t whether your father deserved to give you the inheritance. The question is whether you deserve to let your pride cost you the woman you love.”
The word "love" seemed to echo in the small office. I recalled how she said it when we were lying in bed in the hotel room.
I do love her.
Cassian walked toward the door but stopped before leaving. “Think about what matters more to you. Is it your anger at a dead man, or is it your future with someone who is still here?”
He left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
The city stretched out below my window, and the traffic moved just as it always did. While the world remained unchanged, my life was falling apart. I thought about Mireya facing the investigators alone. I pictured her answering questions about our relationship and having her integrity questioned because of my actions. I thought about he estate lawyer's phone number that I had saved and never called.
My father’s legacy was right there. His hospitals, his money, and his power were all waiting for me to claim them. I had refused for nine months because taking it felt like accepting him. An absent, distant father who cared more about his reputation than his own children.
But he was dead now. The inheritance was just a collection of buildings and assets. It was a responsibility, nothing more. Cassian was right; I had been using my anger as an excuse to hide from my grief. And Mireya was the one paying the price for it.
I pulled out my phone and scrolled to the contact I had avoided for so long. Sebastian Cole, the estate attorney. My finger hovered over the call button for a long time. This was the moment I had to stop running. I had to stop letting the past control my life.
I pressed the button and listened to the phone ring.
“Riven?” Sebastian's voice carried genuine surprise. “Is that really you calling?”
“It's me, Sebastian.”
“I’ve been trying to reach you for weeks.”
“I know you have. I'm sorry for that.”
“Don't apologize to me. Just tell me what you need.”
“I want to discuss the inheritance and the transfer of ownership for the estate.” My voice held steady, though my hand gripped the phone too tight. “I'm finally ready to do this.”
There was a long silence on the other end. “You’re serious about this?”
“Yes, I’m serious.”
“What changed your mind?”
Everything had changed, and yet nothing had. A woman had made me want to be braver than I had ever been before. “I need to deal with this properly. No more avoiding it.”
“Okay,” he said, sounding relieved. “When can you meet with me?”
“As soon as possible.”
“How about the day after tomorrow? My office at ten AM.”
“I’ll be there,” I promised.
“Riven, this is a good move. Your father would have wanted?—”
“This is not about my father,” I interrupted. “This is about me and what I need to do for my future.”
“Understood. I’ll see you on Thursday.”
I ended the call and sat at my desk, staring at the phone. I had just committed to facing everything I had been running from. I was going to claim my father’s legacy because Mireya needed me to be brave. I couldn't protect her by walking away.
My phone buzzed with a message from Emma. She asked when I was coming home and mentioned she had made pasta. I smiled despite the stress of the day and told her I needed to talk to her about something important.
“Ominous,” she replied. “Should I be worried?”
