An Unlikely Bride (Lucas & Ava)

Chapter Seven

Ava

I thought I wouldn’t have much to do for the move—I mean, it’s not like I have a lot of stuff—but there’s the matter of finding a place and arranging things with the relocation agency. The rep sent me a list of suitable apartments, and I pore over everything with Ray and Darcy. She insists on furniture shopping, since she’s a big believer of buying nice things to fill a new home. And every time we leave the house, I see Lucas’s pot—how I think about it now—on the porch. Each reminder is like a knot forming in my throat. It’s about time I emptied the thing and put it away. What did I promise myself when I started college?

Clean up your own messes. Don’t be a burden. Be kind, but firm. Don’t let anyone take advantage.

I bend down to pick up the terra cotta, then stop when my phone rings. I straighten and check it. The call’s from an unknown number in Virginia, but I answer anyway. It’s probably about my impending move.

“Hello?”

“Is this Ava Huss?” The voice is male, brisk and professional.

“This is she.”

“Excellent. My name is Don Peterson. I’m a lawyer representing Mr. Lucas Reed.”

My mouth dries as panic flares. Lucas got a lawyer? Why?

He knows about Mia…and wants to take her away.

Don Peterson keeps talking, but I can’t process anything through the roar in my head. Finally, he stops and says, “Does that make sense to you?”

I want to tell him none of it makes sense. Lucas doesn’t want me, and Blake made it clear Lucas doesn’t need me to inherit. So what gives?

“I’m sorry,” I start, forcing myself to stay calm. “The connection was a little bad, and you got cut off here and there. Do you mind explaining again?” I swallow, then gird my loins and focus.

“Of course. Mr. Reed would like to give you the money he’s promised and have you sign a document releasing him from any further liabilities or obligations to you.”

My mind goes blank for a moment. The money? “I don’t understand. What are you talking about?”

“It’s my understanding that Mr. Reed promised you two million dollars when you quit your job and returned to the States with him.”

Quit my job. What a joke. Is that what he told h

is lawyer? I was forced out of my job, thanks to his maneuvering. And the money… What the hell? Does he think throwing some money at me is going to make me forget what he’s done? There’s nothing that can make me pretend he didn’t lie to me. “You can tell Mr. Reed it isn’t necessary. I don’t need his money. I’ve told him so already.”

The lawyer clears his throat. “I’m not sure you understand. The money is yours, free and clear.”

“Didn’t you say you represent Lucas?”

“Yes.”

“So give him my message. This is good for your client, right? He’s going to save himself two million bucks.”

“Yes, bu—”

“Goodbye, Mr. Peterson. Please don’t call back.” I hang up, then empty the pot.

But putting it away doesn’t make me feel liberated from the hold Lucas has over my heart. Perversely, I feel like I’ve misplaced something vital.

Come on. Ending things with Lucas is more for my benefit. Do I want to become like my mother, unable to leave a toxic man who used her without any sense of guilt or wrongdoing, just because he could? Do I want to set a poor example for Mia? I’d rather die than to have her look at me with embarrassment or pity.

I’ve already accepted that Lucas isn’t the one to give me the future I want. I really need to stop feeling so awful. Just…forget it all. Move on.

One day at a time.

I pull my shoulders back and look skyward, opening myself and letting the sunlight fall on my face. I inhale deeply. Eyes closed, I imagine all the negativity and ugly memories fleeing my body like exorcised demons as I expel the air from my lungs. I repeat this a few times, enough to feel more centered and calm.