Woven from time

Epilogue. Katherine

Freedom The freedom I had dreamed of for so many years was now closely associated with my life. After being expelled from Bolford, we moved in with Nate. Well, more accurately, I moved in. Tyler had his place on the floor above, but he came to us every day. Because the issue with Jeff Gill was still unresolved. We were waiting for spring and Adam's return to Boston. With his arrival, we could initiate the operation to take down Gill.
Nate was still officially bankrupt, which didn't sit well with Sean. He couldn't live without work and kept asking when everything would be back to normal. By the way, Sam put significant pressure on Said, given the lies he had fed him. It turned out Said knew everything about the FIDUCIA coin. He even tried to get in touch with Nate and persuade him to stay in his position. However, "ERMAAS" didn't interest us, nor did moving to another country.
There was only one matter left that required attention: Charlotte. I was planning to dot all the i's and cross all the t's. Completely remove them from my life and reject any potential inheritance. I wanted nothing from the Fox family. Not even a single cent.
Tyler and I were in a taxi, while Nate was dealing with Sean's matters. Charlotte's beauty salon was located in the heart of the city. An incredibly expensive place that Victor had bought to distance himself from his wife. I knew Charlotte would be there. Linda had informed me, keeping in touch with some of the employees. Ironically, the weapon Charlotte had pointed at me was now aimed at her.
When the car stopped, I didn't rush to get out. Tyler squeezed my hand, helping me prepare for the most unpleasant conversation of my life. For a few more minutes, I regained my breath and collected my thoughts. And finally, I opened the door.
The exterior design of the salon was in Charlotte's favorite style: classic, with clean lines and barely noticeable embellishments. I pressed the handle and pulled the heavy door. The scent of luxury, wealth, and deceit hit my nose. The marble floors sparkled under the light of elegant chandeliers. The receptionist girl glanced away from her screen and quickly assessed me, making sure I hadn't entered the wrong door. She didn't recognize me, as I wasn't a frequent visitor to "Charmel" salon.
I ignored her question and headed past the reception desk to Charlotte's office. This was where she spent all her free time when Victor was away. The girl hurried after me, trying to stop me. But I pulled the door and came face to face with Charlotte.
"Katherine," she murmured, glancing behind me. No doubt she would reprimand the girl for not warning her about my visit.
"A few words. I don't want to waste too much time on you," I made her step back. Charlotte walked confidently toward her desk.
Casting a glance around the office, I once again confirmed how cold and distant a person my mother was. The room wasn't designed to accommodate multiple people. Besides her chair and the desk, there was only a lonely hanger with a single hook. No one was supposed to linger in the dominion of the Ice Queen. Not even her daughter.
"This is our last meeting. And we'll do without tears and sentimentality. You won't interfere in my life anymore, sending girls my way and trying to provoke jealousy in me. You'll forget my name, forever erase it from conversations with others, and never, under any circumstances, seek meetings with me. Forget that you have a daughter. She died the same day she was born. I don't need inheritance, access to the trust fund, or any property registered in your name. The money I stole will be returned next week."
"You're still our daughter," Charlotte spat out.
"I never was."
Pressing my palms against the table, I slowly rose. There was nothing remotely resembling sadness in her gaze.
"Don't try to play the role of a good mother. You're much better at being a bitch. So, I'll put it in your terms: if you try to enter my life, I'll tear yours apart, telling everyone how you tried to raise me. I'll smear your reputation with shit. And you'll never be able to wash it off."
Her mask cracked. Fear, flashing across her face, gave me strength. Because I wasn't feeling it. And I would never feel it in her presence.
"Goodbye, Charlotte."
A weight fell from my shoulders. I took a deep breath, glancing around the cream-colored walls one last time. The black-and-white world was gaining color. And most importantly, those two were no longer a part of it.
Tyler stood by the car, leaning against it, releasing rings of smoke from his plump lips.
"Is it over?"
"It's only just beginning," I finished, leaning into my best friend.