I waited for his text.
When the car arrived, I got into it and the driver took me to a sweet little bed and breakfast.
“Here you go, ma’am,” he said, taking my suitcases out.
I was just unpacking my pajamas when the owner showed up at the door.
“Dawn?” she asked. “Matthew asked me to bring you some dinner. I have mac and cheese and a salad.”
I couldn’t believe how lucky I had gotten with the lawyer. I didn’t know him well, but at least he was taking care of me.
I barely slept that night.
The next morning, I dragged myself to Matthew’s office, exhausted and numb. He greeted me with a warm smile.
“Sit down, kid,” he said. “You’re going to want to be sitting for this.”
“What’s going on?”
He slid a folder across the desk.
“Your father was a smart man, Dawn,” he said. “He knew Charlotte would most likely throw you out the moment she got control of the house.”
“He knew?” I gulped.
“That’s why he made me draw this up,” he said.
Matthew opened the folder.
“Seven years ago, your father inherited a very large sum of money. It was almost two million dollars. It was from a distant relative who didn’t have any children, but your father took care of her when she needed help.”
“What?” I gasped.
“Yeah, he didn’t end up telling either of you. But I’m sure he had his reasons. Now, here’s the catch, Dawn. Your father split the money between you and Charlotte.”
