Her Wedding Dress novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: The Ledger

"Not here," I said.

"Here is as good as anywhere."

Judith opened her folder on the window ledge.

"You've had a hard night, so I'll be brief."

Behind the glass, Rhett had not noticed her.

He was bent over the baby, murmuring something I couldn't hear.

"The trust is in her name," Judith said.

"Two million dollars, a school fund, and the house on the river road, free and clear. You would manage all of it."

"For what?"

"You sign her over to the family's care."

"Her care."

"Raised in the house, with her father. You may visit."

"May I?"

"Twice a week, with notice."

She ticked it off on her fingers.

"You have no job to go back to. You have a video of yourself pouring wine on a sick girl. You have a bruised doctor for a lover. Be sensible."

"She isn't a sick girl."

"She is the girl my son chose."

"Your son chose a lie because you taught him to pick the one that was easier to keep."

Judith's mouth thinned.

"Sign, Autumn."

"No."

"Then here is what happens," she said.

"Your father's surgery is on Thursday. The hospital's guarantor is a company I own."

"You wouldn't."

"Your brother's car is a note my son signed and I stand behind. I can undo every kindness this family has done for yours by noon."

I gripped the wheelchair arms.

I could not stand, and I could not walk away, and Judith had known exactly where to find me.

"You'd do that to a man with a bad heart."

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