Shattered Dynasty

I tell her Ronald left all this money to me, Trent is in charge of releasing the funds, and that shoe finally dropped like a lead weight.

Everything is gone.

Will he have me declared dead next? I think I saw that in a movie once.

Just like that, everything is gone in an instant all over again. How many times can that happen to a person in a single lifetime? The rug completely swiped out from under me, all because of whatever Trent has in his mind that I’ve done wrong to him and his family.

After I finish, I let out a sigh. “I just don’t know what to do.”

“It’s your money. He shouldn’t be able to do this.”

“Technically, it’s not my money until I turn twenty-two.”

“Not too far away. But doesn’t Ronald’s estate have to pay your bills?”

“Well, technically, they do. The problem is, Ronald never stipulated how much that means. It’s not written anywhere how much I’m allotted to live off. Basically, it’s up to Trent’s discretion how much I need until my birthday. I should have realized he wasn’t just going to be fair. I should never have deluded myself that he wouldn’t let me live my life as is.”

“This is ridiculous.”

“Agreed.” I lift my mug and take a sip. My throat is dry, but despite the heat, I need something to help.

“What are you going to do?”

Swallowing, I place the mug back down. “I don’t know.”

“You can fight it.”

“I don’t have the funds to fight it until I’m twenty-two. And no attorney is going to take my case out of the kindness of their heart. I can’t afford a retainer, and Trent is likely going to be successful in screwing me out of my inheritance.”

Heather reaches her hand out and gives mine a squeeze. “I’m sure you can find one.”

“Yeah. But is that the attorney I want? They’d be no better than an ambulance chaser.”

She giggles at that. “You’re right. Okay, no crappy lawyer. So, then what?”

“I guess I have no choice. I’ll have to take a train and meet with Ronald’s lawyer to see what my options are. It’s ridiculous, if I’m being honest. I got the inheritance, and he needs to suck it up.”

“I’ll drive you.”

“You have class. And you’ve already helped me so much.”

“This is more important. I can’t have you sleeping on the floor again.”

“I could go to my sister’s place.”

“No way. You said your sister’s new boyfriend is a creep.”

“He is.”

“Then you can’t go there. You have to stay with me. It’s really not a big deal.”

“It is to me.”

As much as I love her, and I do, she’s my only friend, the best friend a girl could have, and I can’t put her through that. This drama is my drama, and I need to sort it myself. I can’t have her in front of me while shots are being fired.

I sigh. “For now, I’ll take you up on the offer to drive me to the city, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course, I don’t mind.”

“Thank you so much. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. I really don’t want to ask my sister for anything.”

She reaches her hand out and takes mine, giving it a little squeeze. “Anything you need, all you have to do is ask.”

I know she’s not lying to me. I know she’ll do anything to help me, but I need to settle this by myself. I need to stay on my own two feet. I can’t risk her getting involved. I would never be able to live with myself if Trent came after her too. I need to walk into that lawyer’s office on my own.

We both finish our coffee, and then we are in her car and driving toward the city.

It’s much faster this way, and I curse Trent Aldridge for what I had to do yesterday. When we pull up in front of the tall building that houses Mr. Baker’s office, I step out of the car.

“Do you want me to wait?” Heather asks.

“You don’t have to.”

“I know, boo. But I got you.”

“I don’t know how long it will be, plus, you have class. Go.”

“Let me at least give you money.”

“I can’t take your money.”

“Sure, you can. And you will. It’s not much. But at least with fifty bucks, you can get back to my place.”

“I promise to pay you back.”

“Oh, honey. Forget about it.”

“I won’t. Nor will I ever forget your kindness, Heather.”

“Fine.” She sighs dramatically, making me laugh. “But no rush.”

I nod my head in agreement and chuckle, stepping out of the car with the fifty tucked into my front pocket. As I’m closing the door, I force out one last smile. The air in the city is warmer than normal at this time of year. It’s fall, but it doesn’t feel like it. I know this heatwave won’t linger for much longer, but I’ll take it.