Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Essie curled into the corner of the sofa, her book club novel open on the ereader in her lap.
She reread the same paragraph three times and still couldn’t recall what any of the characters were doing.
Her mind kept drifting to Sophie. What had happened to turn her into such an angry young woman now threatening lawsuits against them?
Was this really all Ryan’s fault? How much had Sophie’s late mother, Stacia, had to do with it?
She sighed and read the paragraph again.
From the office, Frank’s voice drifted toward her, the low, clipped tone the one he used when something serious was unraveling. Essie tried not to listen, but bits of conversation reached her anyway.
“…no basis for that.” Then, “…completely unreasonable.” Followed by, “…she can’t be serious.”
Her heart sank. This didn’t sound good.
Frank emerged from his office a moment later, shoulders tense, phone still in hand. When he saw her watching him, he forced a small smile, but it came nowhere near reaching his eyes.
“That was Bob,” he said, referring to their attorney.
Essie closed the case of her ereader. “I gathered.”
Frank sat beside her, taking her hand in both of his. He rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand, a gesture that usually soothed her. It didn’t tonight.
“Sophie’s lawyer made an offer,” he said.
Essie’s stomach dipped. “And?”
Frank huffed out a laugh that held no humor. “It’s ridiculous. Outrageous, really.”
Essie braced herself. “What do they want?”
“She wants half,” he said. “Half of everything I have. Retirement savings, the houses, the boat, the accounts your name is on—everything.”
Essie blinked in stunned silence. She waited for the part where he said he was exaggerating or that she’d misheard. That couldn’t be right. How on earth did Sophie think she was entitled to all of that?
But he just squeezed her hand tighter.
“She claims I used her inheritance to fund my retirement,” Frank continued. “And that you pressured me into doing it.”
Disbelief warred in Essie’s chest. “Frank, I never—”
“I know you didn’t,” he cut in gently. “Of course I know that.”
Essie pressed her free hand to her mouth. Tears pricked her eyes. She felt confused, betrayed, and heartbroken, all jumbled into a single throbbing ache.
“She’s not just angry,” Frank said softly. “She obviously wants to hurt us.”
Essie nodded, swallowing past the emotion squeezing her throat. “What do we do?”
“We fight,” he said, voice firm and steady. “We let Bob do what he’s being paid to do. We don’t give in.”
Essie looked up into the eyes of her groom, the man who’d done nothing but be sweet and kind and loving. The man who had only ever wanted to give his children the world.
“Okay.” She nodded with new resolve. “We fight.”
“This is not going to be easy on either of us, but I feel like it’s going to be harder on you. Are you going to be all right?”
Essie lifted her chin. “I’ll be fine. You’re the one I’m worried about. This is your daughter, after all.”
With a sigh of acknowledgment, Frank leaned his forehead against hers, and for a few breaths, they just held onto each other.
Essie was so angry with Sophie. Didn’t she know how this was going to affect her father? Her brother? Family was supposed to be a safe place.
Sophie seemed determined to tear it all apart.
“Is she still going to visit Chad?”
“Yes,” Frank said. “Which reminds me, I need to call him and fill him in.”
“He’s not going to like this.” That young man had a good head on his shoulders and a family to protect. “This affects him now, don’t you think?”
“I do.” Frank got to his feet. “Let me call him and then let’s order in. You don’t need to cook tonight. You deserve a break.”
“I don’t mind, but that would be nice.” She hugged her ereader to her chest. “Would you mind if I filled the girls in? I know they’re concerned.”
“You mean the Queen Bees?” He smiled and shook his head. “You can share with them all you want. We need our friends in times like these.”
“We do.” As he went to the bedroom to call Chad, she got her phone off the counter and sent a message to the group chat.
She gathered her thoughts as her finger hovered over the keyboard, then she typed: We just heard from Sophie’s lawyer. She’s demanding half of everything. It’s so ridiculous. I am frustrated beyond measure.
The flurry of responses was immediate.
Cece was first. WHAT?!?!? That girl is insane. I am so sorry. This is pure nonsense, and we’ll get through it with you.
Blaise was next. You’re right it’s ridiculous. Talk about privileged! If you need someone to yell at the universe with, I’m here.
Essie smiled through a flood of tears. She dabbed at her eyes. These women were just what she needed.
Paige added, Maybe we need to put Sophie in a time-out and take away her internet. In all seriousness, we’re right here for whatever you need.
Then Maude, in typical Maude fashion, replied, Can I help with anything tech-related? I could monitor her social media for updates? And also I’m ready to instigate shenanigans if needed. Flood her social media with bots? Share her email onto every spam sender I can find? I have tricks.
Essie snorted a laugh. Maude always managed to lighten the mood. Essie was so grateful for her friends.
She answered them. I’ll survive. I just needed you all to know. We’re going to fight it, obviously, but it’s still scary. I hate that she’s doing this, mostly because I know Frank is stressing.
Cece texted, That fear and stress is normal. But you are not alone in this battle. We are your army.
Blaise sent a thumbs-up emoji, then, And your cheer squad. And your emergency snack providers. Just say the word.
Paige followed that up immediately. I make a mean banana bread, if you need it.
Maude took a different approach. Tell Sophie’s lawyer we said thanks for showing us what mediocre looks like in a suit. What a loser to even take this case.
Essie laughed again and it felt good to have a moment of lightness. Thank you. All of you. I love you.
A final message popped up from Cece. We love you, too, Essie. We’re here for you. Whatever you need, whenever you need it. And that goes for Frank too. Queen Bees stick together.
Essie pressed the phone to her heart, savoring this outpouring of support and friendship. She wasn’t sure how this fight would end, but it was good to know she wouldn’t be facing it alone.
Essie had just set her phone down, still warmed by the Queen Bees’ messages, when Frank reappeared in the living room. His chest looked broader, like he was bracing himself for impact. The look in his eyes wasn’t fear this time. It was resolve.
“Just got off the phone with Chad,” he said.
Essie nodded, hugging a throw pillow to her body. “And?”
Frank exhaled, a sound equal parts frustration and heartbreak. “He’s furious. He can’t believe Sophie is attempting this. He said he tried to talk some sense into her over the phone, but she wouldn’t listen.”
Essie’s fingers curled into the throw pillow. Chad adored his sister, flaws and all, and she adored him. Or at least, she had. “Is she still going to visit him and Tasha?”
“He said she is,” Frank continued.
Essie nodded, wary. That was going to be an interesting get-together. “Did he say anything else?”
Frank leaned on the kitchen counter. “He said that when she gets there tomorrow, he’s giving her an ultimatum.”
Oh, boy. Essie’s breath caught. “What kind of ultimatum?”
Frank’s voice dropped to a low, hard edge she rarely heard from him. “She either drops this lawsuit completely and starts acting like a grown woman…”
He paused. “Or Chad’s done.”
Essie stared at him, eyes wide. “Done?”
“Done,” Frank repeated. “His word. He said he won’t let her keep tearing this family apart. He told me her grief and ambition doesn’t give her the right to destroy everyone else. And he’s right.”
Essie swallowed a tremor in her throat. “He really said that?”
Frank nodded. “Chad loves his sister. But he’s not going to let her ruin this family.” He squeezed Essie’s hand. “And he said that includes you, regardless of what Sophie thinks.”
Emotion surged up, intense and aching. Essie pressed her lips together, blinking fast. “I hate that it’s come to this,” she whispered.
“So do I,” Frank murmured. “But we can’t protect Sophie from herself forever. At some point, she has to face the consequences of her own choices. And that point is now. All because of her own doing.”
Essie got up and went to Frank, leaning into him, pressing her head against his shoulder, letting his warmth and solidness steady her.
“If Chad is willing to draw a line,” Frank said softly, his arms around her. “Then maybe it’ll be the wake-up call she needs.”
Essie closed her eyes, praying he was right. Because if Sophie kept pushing, Essie wasn’t sure how much more their hearts could take.
Still holding her, Frank said, “How about pizza with extra cheese and a side of garlic bread from Giovanni’s?”
She smiled. “And two servings of their chocolate walnut cake?”
Frank let out a little laugh. “Now that is exactly what we need.”