Chapter 56
Anna
“Miss. Mathews,” my attorney, Mr. Cox said, leaning closer so only I could hear, “we need to discuss this inheritance allegation somewhere private.”
My stomach tightened. I looked up at my dad. “Are you coming with me?”
“Of course,” he said without hesitation.
A court clerk appeared beside us and guided us away from the courtroom.
We moved down a narrow corridor, the noise fading behind us with every step.
The air felt heavier here—quieter, almost sealed off from the world.
She led us into a small conference room just off the court.
No windows. Just a long table, plastic chairs, and fluorescent lights buzzing overhead.
Dad positioned my wheelchair closer to the table, and I rested my hands in my lap, trying to steady myself.
“Miss. Mathews,” Mr. Cox began, folding his hands carefully, “the inheritance claim raised today is a serious allegation. I need to ask you directly about it.”
I shook my head immediately. “I didn’t even know my mother left me any money.” My voice wavered despite my effort to keep it calm. I turned to my dad. “Dad…do you know anything about this?”
He frowned, clearly as startled as I was.
“No,” he said firmly, then turned to my attorney.
“Her mother left money in my name when she died 13 years ago. It was around one million dollars. I used it for Anna and her sister’s education, and to look after them.
That’s all. I’m not aware of anything else—no inheritance tied to marriage, nothing hidden. ”
Mr. Cox leaned back slightly, studying us both. “That’s interesting,” he said. “Mr. Miller raised a financial motive neither of you appears to be aware of.”
The words made my chest feel tight.
“I’ll investigate this thoroughly,” he continued. “If Mr. Miller or his legal team has knowledge of funds, it raises serious concerns.
He looked directly at me. “This does not strengthen his case. In fact, it may do the opposite. He may have revealed more than he intended.”
I swallowed hard, trying to process that my life—my choices, my relationships—were being reframed around money I didn’t even know existed.
“I’ll look into it,” he said, gathering his files. “For now, we’re done here.”
“Thank you,” I murmured.
Dad moved behind my chair, hands on the handles, preparing to wheel me out. Just as we started toward the door, it opened again.
Ian’s attorney stepped in—tall, poised, with a kind of confidence that made her impossible to ignore.
“You must be Anna?” she said, her tone polite but firm. “I’m Morgan Simmons, your fiancé’s attorney.”
I offered my hand, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Nice to meet you.”
She took it, her grip steady and reassuring. “You don’t have to worry about anything,” she said. “I’ll fight for you and Dr. Collins. I promise.”
“Thank you,” I said again, feeling a flicker of relief.
Dad began to push me toward the door, and just as we were about to leave, she called out softly, “Miss. Mathews, just so you know…you made the right choice. Dr. Collins is clearly the better choice.”
I blinked, a small, genuine smile spreading across my face. She gave me a brief nod before turning to Mr. Cox. “May I have a word?” she asked, directing her attention to my attorney.
They stepped slightly aside, voices lowering to hushed tones, and I felt a quiet reassurance settle over me as we left the room. Even amidst the stress of court and legal battles, there was a strange comfort in knowing someone capable and unflinching was in our corner.
Nora was sitting with Nancy when we got home, both of them looking up the moment the door closed behind us.
Nancy’s hands moved immediately. How did it go?
“It was…okay,” I said, but the word felt thin even to me. Something heavy sat in my chest, refusing to settle. I exhaled slowly. “But something’s bothering me.”
Nancy’s expression softened. Tell me, she signed.
Nora leaned forward too, curiosity written all over her face.
“It sounded like we were about to win,” I began, staring at my hands, “until Michael dropped a bomb in court.” I hesitated, then said it anyway. “He accused Ian of being after my money.”
Nancy’s brows shot up. “What money?” she signed sharply. You’re a kindergarten teacher who barely scraped by. What is he even talking about?
“Exactly,” I said, a weak laugh escaping me.
“He claims my mom left me a large inheritance. Something in a trust. Apparently, I’d only have access to it once I was married.
” I shook my head. “All I know is that whatever my mom left was in Dad’s name—and it was used for us. School. Life. That was it.”
Nancy’s mouth tightened. And even if that were true, she signed slowly, Ian wouldn’t know about it.
“No,” I said. “He wouldn’t. He didn’t. He never even asked about my finances.”
I looked at her, my stomach twisting. “I don’t understand any of this. My attorney says he’s investigating, so…we’ll see.” I swallowed, then added, “But there was something else.”
Both of them waited.
“Michael also claimed that Ian misled him about my chances of waking up. About the probability.” My voice dropped. “He asked why Ian would let him lose hope.”
Nancy’s gaze sharpened, her hands slowing before she signed carefully. And why would he?
I stared ahead, my thoughts spinning. “I don’t know. That’s what scares me.”
Nora spoke softly, almost reluctantly. “Or maybe…he needed Michael to believe the worst for obvious reasons.”
The room fell quiet.
I didn’t respond, but my heart started beating faster—because somewhere deep down, a part of me already knew the answer.
And I wasn’t sure whether it terrified me…or made me feel strangely safe.
“I just want to grab some water,” Nora said, pushing herself up from the couch.
Help yourself, Nancy signed. You’re family now—no longer a guest in this house.
Nora laughed. “I like the sound of that,” she said, already heading toward the kitchen.
Nancy and I stayed behind in the lounge. The house had that soft, end-of-day quiet to it, broken only when the doorbell rang. From where we sat, I could hear my dad exchanging a few polite words with someone at the door—low voices, unfamiliar.
A moment later, Nora hurried back in, eyes wide with curiosity.
“Anna,” she said, dropping onto the arm of the couch, “do you have a new boyfriend?”
I blinked. “No. Why?”
“There’s a very good-looking man at the door asking for you,” she said. “And before you ask—no, it’s not Dr. Collins.”
My stomach dipped. “Please don’t tell me it’s Michael.”
“It’s not him either,” Nora said quickly. “Trust me. I know Michael.”
Before I could ask anything else, my dad stepped into the lounge—with the man in question.
“Marlon?” I stared at him. “What are you doing here?”
Nancy glanced up—and immediately blushed when Marlon’s eyes found hers. He smiled before turning back to me.
“I came to deliver an invitation,” he said.
My brows lifted. “Are you getting married?”
He laughed. “Yeah—well, no. I mean, yes, I am, but that’s not the invitation.” He scratched the back of his neck. “We’re throwing Ian a surprise birthday party. He’s turning thirty-three next week.”
I hesitated. “Are you sure it’s safe for me to attend?”
“As long as he’s not the one initiating contact,” Marlon said. “He doesn’t even know about it. You showing up won’t get him into trouble.”
I nodded slowly. “Okay. If you’re sure.”
He pulled out the invitation. “I just need to make a small change. I see you’ve got an extra guest now. I originally listed four—your sister and two friends—but I can change it to five.”
“Yes, please,” I said. “This is Nora—Nancy’s friend. Nora, this is Marlon.”
“Nice to meet you,” Nora said with a grin.
“Thank you,” Marlon replied. “We’d love to have you all there.”
“Why don’t you sit,” I offered. “We’ll make some tea.”
“Sounds great.”
He took the single chair positioned beside me—directly opposite Nancy.
“I can make the tea while you all catch up,” Nora said, already backing away.
No, I’ll go, Nancy signed.
“No, you sit,” Nora insisted, gently pushing her back down.
I noticed then—Marlon’s eyes hadn’t left Nancy.
“How are you?” he asked her, softly.
Suddenly very aware of the tension, I rolled my wheelchair back a little. “I think I’ll leave you two alone.”
Before I could escape, Marlon leaned closer and whispered, “You can’t.”
I stopped. “Why not?”
“I don’t trust myself alone with your sister,” he said under his breath. “I’m getting married. If you leave, you’ll be helping me cheat.”
I gasped dramatically. “Oh no. Absolutely not. I refuse to be an accomplice to that.”
Nancy stared at us, confused.
Marlon smiled.
Nora returned carrying the tea tray, moving gracefully between us.
I couldn’t help but notice Marlon sitting there, unusually quiet.
He didn’t strike me as the shy type—far from it—but the way he avoided meeting Nancy’s eyes made him almost…
vulnerable. Meanwhile, Nancy sat rigid, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap, her cheeks flushed a deep pink.
She looked like she wanted to speak, to sign something, but wasn’t sure if he would understand.
I stole a glance at them both, silently amused. This wasn’t the confident, teasing Marlon I remembered from before; something about Nancy had him off-balance. And Nancy… well, she was practically radiating a soft, bewildered energy, caught somewhere between fascination and panic.
Finally, after finishing his tea, Marlon stood. He straightened, smiled politely at me, and then turned to Nancy. “Ladies, thank you for having me. I should be off.”
He hesitated a moment, just long enough to let his gaze linger on Nancy. “Goodbye, Nancy,” he said softly.
Nancy returned the gesture, her hand moving in a shy wave. “Goodbye,” she signed, her fingers trembling ever so slightly.
As soon as the door closed behind him, Nora let out an exaggerated gasp. “Oh. My. God. Is that Marlon you were gushing about?” she practically squealed, leaning forward toward Nancy.
Nancy’s blush deepened. Yes… but I hear he’s getting married, she signed, almost apologetically.
“Getting married?” Nora’s tone was incredulous. “Yet he looked like he was into you. Ugh, that’s exactly why I don’t trust men.” She shook her head, her eyes rolling dramatically. “So… are we going to that party next week?”
Nancy gestured toward me, her fingers indicating it was up to me.
I shrugged, smiling. “Let’s go. I’m in.”
“Count me in too!” Nora said enthusiastically. “Before I leave for Amsterdam, at least.”
Amsterdam? Nancy signed, eyes wide with surprise.
“I got a job there. I’ll be moving soon,” Nora explained, a hint of excitement in her voice.
Nancy’s expression softened, almost wistful. “Oh no… I’m going to miss you,” she signed quietly.
“Don’t worry,” Nora said with a smile. “I won’t be gone for a month. You’ll still see me around until then. And anyway, we should do some shopping over the weekend for the party. Make sure we’re all ready.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” I agreed.
Nora checked her watch and stood. “Anyway, I really should go. Enjoy the rest of the day, you two.”
“Bye, Nora,” I said, smiling as she leaned in to hug me.
She turned to Nancy, who had straightened nervously in her chair, and hugged her too. The warmth of the embrace seemed to melt some of the tension in the room. Nora winked at us as she pulled away. “See you this weekend.”
As the door closed, I glanced at Nancy. Her smile was soft, shy, and lingering. And I could tell…Marlon had left an impression that wouldn’t fade anytime soon.