Chapter 9 - THE WOMAN WHO REFUSED TO BE BOUGHT
Mercer's lawyers sent Isabella a settlement offer.
He would forgive the debt.
Return control of the company.
And withdraw his claims against her property.
In exchange, Isabella would sign a broad confidentiality agreement and withdraw her complaints.
She brought the offer to my office.
“What do you think?” she asked.
I read it carefully.
Then handed it back.
“What does your attorney say?”
“That the terms are dangerous.”
I nodded.
“Then listen to your attorney.”
She looked surprised.
“You're not going to tell me what to do?”
“No.”
“Why?”
I leaned back.
“Because Mercer has spent months treating your choices like they belong to him.”
Her eyes softened.
“I don't intend to do the same.”
She stared at me.
Then smiled.
A real smile.
It changed her entire face.
“Thank you.”
I nodded.
She looked toward the window.
“Thomas always said I was too stubborn.”
I smiled.
“He sounds like a sensible man.”
She laughed.
“He was.”
For a moment, grief moved between us.
Then she whispered:
“I miss him.”
I looked at her.
“I know.”
She turned toward me.
“Do you still miss your wife?”
Every day, I thought.
But I answered differently.
“Yes.”
She nodded.
“Does it ever stop hurting?”
I considered.
“No.”
Then I added:
“But eventually, the pain makes room for other things.”
May you like
She looked at me for a long moment.
And something quiet began to change between us.
