Chapter 20
Ace
Idon’t like the quiet.
Not after a threat.
Not after a man like Daniel Reynolds walks in, says just enough, and leaves the rest hanging in the air.
That kind of quiet?
It means something’s coming.
I stand just inside the shop, watching Tessa move behind the counter.
She looks calm.
Focused.
Like she’s got everything under control.
Customers come and go, ordering flowers, talking about weddings, filling the space with normal conversation.
But I see it.
The tension in her shoulders.
The slight shake in her hands.
The way her eyes keep flicking toward the door.
Waiting.
Bracing.
“Tessa.”
She doesn’t look up. “I’m fine.”
“I didn’t ask that.”
That makes her pause.
Just for a second.
Then she exhales slowly and sets the flowers down.
“I’m sorry. What did you ask?” she says.
“How you want to handle this.”
Her hands still.
Finally, she looks at me.
“I don’t know yet.”
Honest.
That’s new.
I nod once. “Alright.”
I don’t push.
Don’t rush her.
But my mind is already working.
Because whatever Daniel does next—
It won’t be obvious.
The bell above the door chimes.
We both look up.
A man walks in.
Mid-forties. Suit. Briefcase.
Out of place.
Very out of place.
“Can I help you?” Tessa asks, polite but cautious.
The man smiles. “Tessa Bloom?”
Her posture tightens. “Yes…”
“I’m Robert Hale,” he says. “I represent Gable Ridge County.”
There it is.
My stance shifts.
Subtle.
Sharp.
Here we go.
Tessa’s fingers curl against the counter.
“Why would Gable Ridge need a lawyer to talk to me?” she asks.
Hale’s smile stays in place.
“In light of recent developments, the county is reviewing your case.”
I almost laugh.
Reviewing.
Sure.
“And?” she asks.
“We’d like to offer you an opportunity to resolve this quickly and quietly.”
I step forward slightly.
“Define resolve,” I say.
Hale glances at me, then back to her.
“A financial settlement. In exchange for a signed agreement acknowledging the original ruling.”
Silence drops.
Heavy.
Deadly.
Tessa stares at him. “I’m sorry… what?”
“A settlement,” he repeats. “Compensation for your time served, in exchange for closing the matter without further legal action.”
My jaw tightens.
“Without admitting fault,” he adds.
Tessa lets out a breath.
“You want me to take money… and pretend none of this happened?”
“Not pretend,” he says. “Avoid complications.”
“This is a complication,” she snaps. “I went to prison for something I didn’t do!”
“And the county is willing to compensate you.”
“By burying it again?” I cut in.
Hale’s smile thins.
“We’re offering a solution that protects everyone involved.”
“There it is,” I mutter.
Tessa’s voice sharpens. “Protects who?”
“The Reynolds family.”
The words hit like a punch.
Her hands start to shake.
“You’ve got to be kidding me…”
“It’s in everyone’s best interest to resolve this discreetly,” Hale continues.
“You mean him,” she says. “Daniel Reynolds.”
Hale doesn’t deny it.
Doesn’t need to.
I step forward fully, putting myself between them.
“This isn’t happening.”
“That’s not your decision,” Hale says.
“No,” I agree. “But I’ll make sure it becomes hers.”
Tessa looks between us.
Heart racing.
I can see it.
This is what she feared.
Not yelling.
Not violence.
Control.
Pressure.
Quiet manipulation.
Hale sets a folder on the counter.
“Take your time. Review the offer.”
She doesn’t touch it.
“I’m not signing anything.”
“I strongly advise you reconsider.”
There it is.
The threat.
Polite.
Professional.
Clear.
“What happens if I don’t?” she asks.
Hale meets her eyes.
“Then things become… complicated.”
“How?”
“Public scrutiny. Legal delays. Challenges to the footage. Questions about your confession.”
I clench my jaw.
“You’re trying to discredit her.”
“I’m protecting my client.”
Tessa’s breathing picks up.
“I’m offering you peace,” Hale says.
Her eyes harden.
“I had peace,” she says. “You took it from me.”
That lands.
Hale pauses.
Then nods.
“Think about it.”
He turns and walks out.
The bell chimes.
Silence crashes down.
Tessa stares at the folder like it might burn her.
“They’re trying to bury it again,” she whispers.
“Yeah.”
Her hands tremble.
“I can’t go through that again…”
I step closer.
Steady.
“You won’t.”
She looks at me.
Fear still there.
But something else now too.
Fight.
“They think I’ll take it,” she says.
My gaze hardens.
“Then let’s prove them wrong.”