7

"Sit," Thalia told her secretary. When the woman hesitated, she smiled a little to dispel any tension in the air. They'd always had an easygoing relationship and Bianca was hardworking. Thalia didn't believe she'd ever done anything to scare her. Or arouse any hate in her.

"Am I getting fired?" Bianca asked hesitantly.

"No. Nothing like that. How long have you worked for me?"

"It's been four years, Ma'am"

"And what are your plans for the future?"

"I'm happy here. I like working for you, Ma'am."

"What about law school? Have you thought about resuming your studies? If I remember correctly, you dropped out because your father was sick?"

"Yes. Thanks to your help, he's better now."

Thalia blinked "My help?"

"You don't remember it but you gave me a blank cheque and told me to fill in the amount I needed. I will never forget your kindness, Ma'am, and no matter what happens, I won't betray you"

That was news to her but it also worked in her favor. At least now she wouldn't have to bribe the woman with a house, a car, or money. She'd decided to make sure Cameron and Celia's future were set before focusing on Gideon. The first thing to do was find them allies in the firm. People who could help them because she wouldn't be around.

All Bianca had to do was give whoever had decided to take over a hand. Show them the ropes and prevent them from making mistakes. In short, Thalia was buying her loyalty. But it wouldn't be considered buying if she was already loyal.

"I have a contract for you. Read it carefully before signing" Thalia slid the envelope to her and then sat back. Watching the emotions playing on her face. Finally, she looked up and said,

"Twenty years? This is..."

"A good deal. You get a raise every six months and unless you do something illegal..."

"Can you add ten more years?"

"What?"

Bianca's eyes shone as she rushed to say "I'm twenty-seven. This contract ensures that I have a job and an income for the next twenty years. Not just that but I'll also get a raise and other benefits. The severance package I will receive if anything happens is enough for me to live comfortably for the rest of my life. I don't think I'll ever find such a generous offer anywhere. So yes, I'll take ten or even fifteen more years"

"You don't think it's unfair to you? If you sign that contract, you'll be tied to Ashcroft & Hale for a long time and you might not be able to advance your career"

"I'm a simple person, Ma'am. All I want is for my father to live comfortably."

"Alright then. This stays between us. Call it your trump card and only reveal when the time is right"

Thalia could tell Bianca didn't understand what she meant but she signed the contract anyway. Once Bianca left her office, she drafted her will, leaving Pam enough money for her to retire if she wanted to. Edward was in charge of the estate but if he wanted to leave, he would also get a nice severance package. The rest of her fortune was to be divided equally among her children. Gideon got nothing. Not even the house they currently lived in.

He had refused to move to the estate claiming it would be a hustle to go back and forth to the city every day. So she'd bought the house. If he was as clever as he thought himself to be, he would have bought himself another house. Not that she'd spare it. She was on a mission to leave him on the streets with no way of ever making a comeback.

A small part of her felt guilty but she shoved it down. It wasn't just about him cheating on her. It was how he called them both Lia. The anger and disrespect she felt at being called the same name he used for his lover knew no bounds. Did he laugh and gloat whenever he called them both that? When he made love to her, was he thinking about that bitch? Had she merely been a replacement for her?

The thought sickened her. She wanted to punch a hole through a wall. Tears threatened to fall but she swallowed them. Crying was for the weak. And she didn't have a weak bone in her body.

Sometime later, Thalia startled as her door banged open and Tanner strode in. His face was a mask of anger.

"What is this I hear about you handing your cases to other attorneys. Are you planning on leaving"

"No, I'm dying" she answered without missing a beat.

"That is not funny, Tee. What is going on? Does this have to do with why you disappeared last week?"

"Yes and no"

He dropped into the chair opposite her "Explain"

"I'm taking time off"

"Why?"

"Because I'm exhausted"

"For how long?"

"Indefinitely"

"Bullshit. Try again, Tee"

"I'm serious. Look at me, I've been working so hard that I forgot to take care of myself" and now she was dying. What was worse was that she had no one to blame but herself. "It's time I pampered myself and enjoyed my life"

"I hear you and I agree with your decision. You can take a month or two off. Why indefinitely?" His brows furrowed as he studied her "Does your decision have anything to do with Thane?"

"And if I say yes? What will you do?"

"Rearrange his fucking face. What did that bastard do? When I went looking for you, it didn't look like he knew where you were. Are you guys having problems? Do you need me to deal with him?"

Thalia leaned forward. Resting her elbows on her desk and linking her fingers together. "Why am I now realizing that you've never liked him?" Tanner had always joked about Gideon stealing her from him but she thought it was just that. A joke. Something he brought up to piss Gideon off. Like a playful banter. After all, they'd gone to school together and had been friends for years. But if she dug deeper, she could find a few reasons Gideon didn't like attending events with her and most of them had to do with Tanner. Was that the reason he'd turned to someone else? Because she hadn't been a good wife to him?

Don't make excuses for him. The voice in her head chastised. He was a grown man. If he didn't like something, he could have sat her down and told her about it. Not stick his dick inside another woman.

"What will you do? Are you going on vacation or something?" Tanner changed the subject. She knew it was for her sake. He knew how much she loved Gideon and didn't want to make her uncomfortable by badmouthing him. For a second, she thought about telling him everything. Tanner would help her get revenge. There was no doubt about it. But it would be unfair to pull him into her mess. His time wasn't limited like hers and if he did something stupid, he would end up in prison.

"Nope. I'm going to sleep"

"What?"

"It's been a long time since I had a nice sleep"

"You're taking time off to sleep?"

And spend more time with her children.

"Why? Are you against it?"

"No. Do whatever makes you happy. But two months, Tee. After that, I'll drag you back here by your hair"

"I'd like to see you try that"

"We both know I wouldn't dare," he said getting to his feet and buttoning his coat. Without thinking, Thalia got up, rounded the desk, and threw her hands around him. "Not that I'm complaining but what did I do to deserve this?"

"Thank you for being my best friend and I'm sorry for suddenly leaving without notice"

"It's fine. Take as much time as you need. No pressure" Thalia hugged him for a minute longer, taking comfort in knowing at least she had her friends.

"Am I interrupting something?" Someone asked. They both turned to find Gideon standing at the door.

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