Chapter 3 - Nine O’Clock.
Ava woke before sunrise after less than three hours of sleep.
Nora had cried twice during the night, and each time Ava had been grateful for the ordinary need of a baby because it gave her something simple to solve.
By seven, Daniel had found the name of a family attorney recommended by a colleague.
Her name was Rebecca Sloan, and she agreed to speak with Ava before her first court appearance of the day.
At eight fifteen, Ava sat at Daniel’s dining table with Rebecca on a video call.
Ava explained the ultimatum, the apartment, and the message about the documents.
Rebecca listened without interrupting.
When Ava finished, the attorney asked one question.
“Is your name on the deed?”
“Yes.”
“Then do not sign anything changing ownership, access, custody, residence, or financial rights without independent review.”
Ava felt some of the pressure leave her shoulders.
“Can he lock me out?”
“He can create inconvenience.”
Rebecca’s tone was calm.
“That does not mean he can erase your legal rights by changing a keypad code.”
At exactly eight forty-eight, Grant called.
Ava answered this time and put the phone on speaker.
“Where are you?” he asked.
“Safe.”
“I asked where.”
“And I answered what matters.”
There was a pause.
Grant hated answers he could not control.
“The attorney is coming at nine.”
“I know.”
Grant went silent.
Ava realized he had not expected her to know that unless she came home.
“How?”
“You texted me.”
Another pause.
“Right.”
His recovery was too quick.
Ava looked at Daniel across the table.
Grant continued.
“The papers are temporary.”
“What papers?”
“A simple agreement while we figure out the living arrangement.”
“Send them to my attorney.”
The silence on the line became heavy.
“Your attorney?”
“Yes.”
“Ava, do not turn this into something bigger than it is.”
She almost smiled.
“You invited another woman into our home and told me to accept her or leave.”
“I was frustrated.”
“You were specific.”
“This is exactly why I wanted you back here.”
“No.”
Ava glanced at Rebecca on the laptop screen.
“If there are documents, send them to counsel.”
Grant’s voice cooled.
“You are making a mistake.”
“Then I will make it after reading everything.”
She ended the call.
Daniel raised his eyebrows.
“That was different.”
“What?”
“You did not ask permission to end the conversation.”
Ava stared at the phone.
Neither had she noticed.
At nine twelve, Rebecca received a fourteen-page agreement from Grant’s attorney.
She forwarded it to Ava with three sections highlighted.
The first described Ava’s departure from the penthouse as voluntary and indefinite.
The second stated that Nora’s primary residence would remain associated with Grant’s address.
The third included a property clause that would give Grant sole decision-making authority over the penthouse pending future negotiation.
Ava read the clauses twice.
“He called this temporary.”
Rebecca’s voice came through the speaker.
“It is written to create a record that favors his version of events.”
Daniel leaned against the counter.
“So the anonymous message was right.”
Ava’s phone vibrated again.
Unknown number.
HE IS ANGRY YOU HAVE A LAWYER.
Ava did not answer.
Another message appeared.
GOOD.
For the first time, Ava felt less frightened by the number than curious about it.
She typed, “If you want me to trust you, tell me who you are.”
The typing indicator appeared, vanished, then appeared again.
Finally, a message arrived.
NOT YET.
HE CHECKS MY PHONE.
Ava’s breath caught.
Only a small number of people in Grant’s orbit could mean that.
Daniel saw her face.
“What did they say?”
Ava turned the screen toward him.
Mia read it from beside him.
Her eyes widened.
“Then this is not some outsider.”
Ava looked toward the window.
“No.”
May you like
She thought again of Elise standing near the kitchen island with both hands wrapped around her handbag.
“She is inside the penthouse.”
