ANMELDENGrace stared at the email. Read it three more times. Her business accounts. Frozen. All of them."This can't be legal," she said.Rachel grabbed her laptop. Started typing. "Let me check the court filing. There has to be a motion. A hearing. Something.""Payroll is due Friday," Grace said. "That's three days from now. I have fifteen employees counting on those paychecks.""How much do you need?""Thirty-two thousand. For payroll. Plus another fifteen for suppliers. I have orders to fulfill. Materials to buy."Aiden pulled out his phone. "I can transfer—""No. I can't keep taking your money.""Grace—""No." Her voice was firm. "This is my business. I need to handle it."Rachel looked up from her laptop. "Found it. Emergency motion filed yesterday by Mason's legal team. Granted this morning by Judge Malcolm Brenner.""On what grounds?""They claim you're hiding marital assets in business accounts. That freezing them protects Mason's interests during the divorce.""That's insane! Those a
Grace was having breakfast when the courier arrived. Official-looking envelope. Legal papers."What is it?" Aiden asked.Grace opened it. Started reading. Her face went pale."He's suing me.""What?""Mason. He's filing a countersuit. Against me."She read faster. Her hands started shaking. Not from fear. From disbelief."This can't be real."Aiden took the papers. Read them himself. His jaw dropped. "He's claiming you committed fraud?""Yes. Says I faked the amnesia to entrap him. That it was all a calculated plan to gather evidence illegally.""That's insane.""There's more." Grace pointed to another section. "He's suing for alienation of affection. Says I had an affair with you during our marriage. That you deliberately seduced me to hurt him.""We didn't even start anything until after he'd already thrown you away!""He's also claiming mental cruelty. Says I emotionally abused him for years. Made him feel inadequate. Drove him to seek comfort elsewhere." Grace laughed bitterly. "H
Rachel stood at the courthouse steps. Cameras everywhere. Reporters shouting questions."Ms. Moore! Is it true you're filing divorce papers for Grace Hartwell?"Rachel held up a thick folder. "Yes. As of 9 AM this morning, Grace Hartwell has officially filed for divorce from Mason Hartwell on grounds of adultery, fraud, financial abuse, and emotional cruelty.""What is she asking for in the settlement?""Full return of all funds stolen from her business. Half of all marital assets. And sole ownership of her intellectual property and company, Tessa Designs.""Is she asking for alimony?""No. Ms. Hartwell wants a clean break. No ongoing financial ties to Mason Hartwell whatsoever.""What about the attempted murder charge against Sophia Bennett?""That's a separate criminal matter. But we will be presenting evidence that Mason Hartwell's abuse and manipulation of Ms. Bennett contributed to her mental breakdown."The reporters erupted with more questions. Rachel pushed through. Went insid
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Aiden asked.Grace stood outside the psychiatric facility. Gray building. Barred windows. Security everywhere."I have to," she said. "If Sophia really has information that can help, I need to hear it.""I'll wait here. Call me if you need anything."Grace nodded. Walked to the entrance. Security checked her ID. Made her leave her phone and bag in a locker. Then led her through locked doors. Down hallways that smelled like disinfectant and despair.A nurse met her. Middle-aged woman with kind eyes. "Ms. Hartwell? Sophia is in the rec room. She's been asking about you.""How is she?""Stable. Medicated. We have her on antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication. She's much calmer than when she first woke up."They walked to a large room. A few patients watching TV. Others sitting quietly. And in the corner, by a window, sat Sophia.She looked terrible. Hair unwashed. Face pale. Wearing hospital scrubs. Nothing like the polished woman Grace used to kn
The hospital called Mason at three in the morning. "Mr. Hartwell? This is County General. Sophia Bennett is awake." Mason sat up in bed. "What?" "She woke up twenty minutes ago. She's asking for you. We thought you should know." "I'll be there in thirty minutes." He dressed quickly. Drove to the hospital. His mind racing. Sophia was awake. Which meant she could talk. Could testify. Could destroy him. He needed to control this. Fast. At the hospital, a nurse led him to Sophia's room. "She's agitated. Confused. That's normal after a coma. Just try to keep her calm." Mason nodded. Walked in. Sophia was sitting up in bed. Tubes everywhere. Hair matted. Face pale. She looked terrible. But her eyes were alert. Focused. And full of rage. "Where's Mason?" she said to the nurse. "I want to see Mason." "I'm here." He stepped forward. "Sophia, I'm right here." She turned. Looked at him. For a moment, her face softened. Then it hardened again. "You," she whispered. "This is all beca
The doorbell rang. Aiden checked the security camera. "It's Emma and Rachel."He let them in. Both women rushed to Grace. Hugged her carefully. Avoiding her injured shoulder."You look better," Emma said. "Still pale but better.""I feel better. Aiden's been taking good care of me."Rachel set her briefcase on the coffee table. "We have a lot to discuss. Are you ready?"Grace nodded. They all sat. Aiden brought coffee and pastries. Then sat next to Grace.Rachel opened her briefcase. Pulled out thick folders. Documents. Papers."I've been working nonstop," she said. "Preparing everything. And I have good news. We have more than enough evidence to destroy Mason in divorce court."The lies Mason's telling. Public sentiment is shifting. More people are believing you now.""But not everyone," Grace said."No. Not everyone. The Hartwells still have supporters. People who think you're lying for money. But the tide is turning."Rachel spread papers across the table. "These are the divorce pa
The next morning, there was a knock on the door. Grace opened it. Sophia stood there with a bright smile and a red envelope."Good morning, Grace! Merry Christmas Eve!""Morning," Grace said carefully."I'm planning a special couples' dinner tonight. Just the four of us. You, Aiden, Mason, and me."
They walked back to the cabin in silence. Snow was falling softly. The air was cold but Grace barely felt it. Her mind was still on dinner. On Mason's face when he looked at her. On Sophia crying.Aiden opened the cabin door. They walked inside. He locked it behind them.Grace took off her coat. "T
Grace was sitting by the window when she heard car doors slam outside. She looked out and saw two women getting out of a taxi. Her heart jumped.Emma and Rachel.Her friends.Well, her real friends. Not like Sophia.Grace watched them pull suitcases from the trunk. Emma was wearing a bright red coa
Seven Years AgoAiden stood outside the hotel ballroom. Tomorrow was Mason's wedding. The rehearsal dinner had just ended. Everyone was laughing and drinking inside.But Aiden couldn't smile.He had a bad feeling. A very bad feeling.Mason had been acting strange all week. Aiden knew his brother.







