I did get the help I needed here.
40
SIENNA
I'm nervous.
I've been nervous since I woke up.
The last time I had a meeting with lawyers I borrowed a blazer from Charlie. A different version of myself for the occasion.
Today I'm in jeans and a clean shirt. I'm not doing that again.
I know what I'm walking into. I've sat across from Paula before. This is just a different office with a different lawyer. I know exactly what I'm here to do and I've been ready to do it for weeks.
The assistant walks me through the reception area. The carpet is thick and quiet. The walls are covered in dark tones and mahogany wood.
So different from the first lawyers offices, that were mainly glass that let the sun light in.
So different from Adrian’s office.
I miss him.
I wish he was here. It would be so much easier. But I am alone.
The truth is I miss all three of them.
Yesterday, the conversation with Charlie helped to put things into perspective.
We were all operating inside incomplete pictures, decisions made on half-truths and silence stacked on silence. Nothing good could come out of that.
But looking back at the wreckage of it, I can also see that’s how my road to freedom started.
The assistant opens the door to the conference room.
Paula is already seated at the long conference table. Her lawyer stands and extends his hand. He's about sixty, silver-haired, controlled.
"Ms. Cross. I'm Arthur White. Can I get you water, coffee—"
"Let's get this over with," Paula says.
I look at Arthur and smile. "I'm fine, thank you."
I take my seat across from Paula. She doesn't look at me. Arthur sits back down and slides a document folder toward me and says "Since you both already agreed with—"
A knock at the door.
Arthur's face tightens with irritation. "Come in."
The door opens. The assistant takes one step to the side and says, "Ms. Cross's lawyer is here."
And Adrian walks in.
My heartbeat does something it has no business doing.
He's wearing a charcoal suit, no tie, top button open, and he looks exactly like himself and nothing like the last time I saw him.
Sharp. Controlled. Ready.
