Don't You Dare

Chapter 5: Old Wounds

October 18, 2023

Andrea sat at her desk, staring blankly at the stack of papers in front of her. She'd been trying to focus for the past hour, but her mind kept drifting back to the letter she had received that morning. It lay on her desk, its contents already burned into her mind.

Her father's estate had finally been settled, and now the family home was being sold. The letter requested that she come to collect her mother's belongings, the few things that remained. It was just a standard notice, but to Andrea, it felt like a punch to the gut—a painful reminder of everything she'd lost.

She hadn't been back to that house since she'd left for college, since everything had fallen apart. The thought of walking through those rooms, of facing all the ghosts she'd tried so hard to bury—it was too much. She clenched her hands into fists, forcing herself to breathe.

This was just another challenge. Another thing to get through. She'd faced worse and survived. She could survive this, too.

A soft knock on her door broke through her thoughts. She looked up, startled, and saw Gabriel standing in the doorway. His eyes narrowed slightly as he took in her pale face and the tension in her shoulders.

"You okay?" he asked, his voice gentle, but his eyes were sharp, searching her face.

Andrea forced a smile, pushing the letter aside. "I'm fine. Just a lot on my mind."

Gabriel's gaze flicked to the papers on her desk, but he didn't press. "We have that meeting with Ms. Lancaster in ten minutes. Are you ready?"

"Of course," she said, her voice a little too bright. "Let me just grab my notes."

He nodded, but his eyes lingered on her for a moment longer before he turned and left. As soon as he was gone, Andrea let out a shaky breath, her hands trembling as she gathered her things.

She couldn't afford to fall apart now. She'd worked too hard to get here, to build this life for herself. She wouldn't let the past drag her down, not when she was so close to everything she'd ever wanted.

With one last glance at the letter, she shoved it into her drawer, locking it away. Then she straightened her shoulders, smoothed her hair, and walked out of her office, her steps steady and determined.

_______________________________________________________________________

The meeting room was spacious and sleek, the floor-to-ceiling windows offering a stunning view of Manhattan. Andrea took her seat across from Ms. Lancaster, her heart racing but her face calm.

Gabriel sat beside her, his presence a quiet support. Ms. Lancaster was flipping through a file, her sharp eyes scanning the pages before she looked up at them.

"Alright, let's discuss the Calhoun case," she said, her tone brisk. "Ms. Blanco, I understand you've taken the lead on this?"

"Yes, Ms. Lancaster," Andrea replied, sliding her notes across the table. "I've outlined a strategy that I believe addresses the key concerns of our client while also anticipating potential obstacles from the opposing counsel."

She spoke with confidence, laying out her plan with clear, concise points. "Our client, Mrs. Calhoun, is seeking a substantial alimony package as well as primary custody of their children. The opposing counsel's main argument will likely focus on Mr. Calhoun's role as the primary breadwinner and his concern over equitable distribution of assets. They will argue that Mrs. Calhoun's request is unreasonable given her lack of financial contribution during the marriage."

Ms. Lancaster raised an eyebrow, her gaze unwavering. "And your response to that?"

Andrea didn't hesitate. "We will highlight Mrs. Calhoun's role as the primary caregiver and homemaker, which allowed Mr. Calhoun to build his career. We will also provide evidence of her contributions to their joint investments, which have seen significant growth under her management."