로그인Grace 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
New Year's Eve. The resort was decorated with gold and silver. Everyone dressed up for the big party in the main ballroom.Grace wore a simple black dress. Elegant but not flashy. Aiden wore a dark suit. They walked in together.Mason and Sophia were already there. Sophia wore a tight red dress tha
Aiden was alone on the cabin porch when his father appeared."Hey Aiden. Walk with me."It wasn't a request. Richard Hartwell doesn't make requests.Aiden didn't waste time he stood up and they walked toward the woods."Your mother and I need to talk to you about Grace.""What about her?""This nee
Grace was walking back to the cabin when she heard footsteps behind her."Grace. Wait."She turned. Catherine Hartwell stood there. Perfectly dressed. Perfectly cold."Mrs. Hartwell," Grace said quietly."We need to talk. Alone."Grace's stomach dropped. "About what?""Walk with me."They walked to
Grace came back to the cabin. Her hands were still shaking from what she found. But she had to act normal. Had to pretend everything was fine. Aiden was awake. He was making breakfast. "Morning," he said. "Where did you go so early?" "Just a walk. Needed to clear my head." "You okay? You look p







