Chapter 211

Hugo sets up a meeting for Daphne and me with one of the best lawyers in town, Mr. Geoffrey. Hugo knows this man personally, and as such, knows that he holds no love for Edward.

“I have a really strong nose for bullshit,” Mr. Geoffrey says upon our first meeting. By now, he knows why we’ve come, so he knows he won’t insult Daphne, when he adds, “That’s why I’ve never trusted Edward Zimmer. He seems like a conman through and through.”

“You have no idea how right you are, Mr. Geoffrey,” Daphne says.

Mr. Geoffrey takes us into one of the meeting rooms in his office and has us sit in two chairs opposite him across a long desk. After instructing one of his many assistants to make coffee for us, he turns his attention back to us.

“I’d love to help you bring a conman to justice,” he says. “But with someone as powerful as Edward Zimmer, it’s going to be an uphill climb. If we’ve got any shot, I need you to tell me everything. Hugo says your stories are compelling. Start from the top. I’ve cleared my schedule for the day. You have all of it.”

Daphne and I glance at each other.

“I don’t even know where to start,” Daphne admits.

I’ve already shared my story with Hugo and Miles. It doesn’t exactly get easier to talk about, but unlike Daphne, I know what to expect in sharing the story again.

“I’ll go first,” I say. “You add in if you want, or you can go after.”

“Okay,” Daphne says, giving me a weak smile.

It’s nice, having a good rapport with Daphne again, even if I wish it was under better circumstances. In another life, maybe we grew up in an orphanage that wasn’t a house of horrors. Maybe we stayed in contact. Maybe we are still friends.

But, I suppose, perhaps this life isn’t perfect, but it’s better than now than it was then. Daphne and I have worked and continue to work hard to better our lives for ourselves.

This is just another step forward in that.

“Whenever you are ready,” Mr. Geoffrey says.

I take a deep breath, and then I begin, telling Mr. Geoffrey about everything that led to this moment, starting with how the orphanage used to be before Edward took over, before explaining how Edward changed everything, darkening our childhoods with horror.

Mr. Geoffrey listens with a neutral expression. Occasionally, he would take notes. Sometimes, he would ask questions. Ever, he would listen respectfully.

I explain how I went a long time without thinking about Edward at all, until he turned up again on the campaign trail. I talk about his many threats against Miles, my family, and me.

I stop only once, when one of the assistants brings in the coffee. By then, I’m near the end of my story anyway.

“Thank you for sharing this with us, Esther,” Mr. Geoffrey says. We both subtly glance at Daphne.

She pours herself a cup of coffee, then holds it but does not drink.

Then Daphne begins her story. It starts similar to mine, since our experiences in the orphanages were the same. But, while in my story I went several years without thinking about Edward, Daphne had to face him every single day of her life, both as her abuser and then also as her husband.

With each word that comes out of her mouth, my chest aches with pain for her, though I attempt to keep my face carefully neutral. She doesn’t need my pity. She needs my support.

At the end of her story, Mr. Geoffrey has enough notes to take up fifteen different pages. After putting down his pen, he shakes out his wrist, which must be cramped from all the writing.

He waits a moment, as if out of respect for the terrors of Daphne experienced. Then, he speaks, “Unfortunately, even with all this evidence, it will be difficult to convince the public who blindly adores this man that he has done wrong…”

Daphne worries her bottom lip. I frown, looking at her.

“Are you saying it’s hopeless?” I ask Mr. Geoffrey.

“No,” he says. “Only that it will be difficult. But I believe that the three of us are up for the task.” He gives each of us an encouraging smile. “And Mrs. Zimmer…”

“Daphne, please,” she says at once.

“Of course. Daphne. I believe we should start by filing for your divorce, yes?”

Relief flashes across Daphne’s face. “Yes. Please.”

Mr. Geoffrey nods. “No time like the present.”

That night, after making sure the kids are sound asleep, I head downstairs where Miles waits for me in the living room. Immediately, I flop down beside him on the couch. His arm goes around my shoulders, pulling me in closer.

Things between us are still slightly strained, with the whole idea of temporary hanging over us. After my viral incident outside the club, Miles has certainly warmed back up to me, but I still feel the weight of what might be looming over me.

The future is uncertain in so many ways. The meeting with the lawyer today only highlighted that. Even with stories as compelling as Daphne’s, Mr. Geoffrey still wasn’t entirely convinced we’d be able to make a case.

It hurts, knowing that even with our stories out there, that the public might still choose to side with Edward just because of the lies he told to maintain his reputation. I don’t totally fault them. He can be convincing, but it still hurts.

“Penny for your thoughts,” Miles says, glancing at me.

“It’s just so scary, not knowing what the future holds.”

“I didn’t think you were afraid of anything,” Miles says.

I shake my head. “I’m afraid of a lot of things.”

Miles hums like he doesn’t quite believe it, but he doesn’t press. Instead he tugs me tighter against him, offering me the comfort of the warmth of his body.

“Well, if there’s one thing you don’t have to worry about regarding the future, it’s us,” Miles says.

I look at him, surprised. “What?”

He looks back at me, eye wide with confusion like he’s confused by my surprise. “What?” he parrots.

“I don’t know, I just thought… You are so much younger than me, and I…”

He pushes away from me to turn on the sofa and look at me more closely. “Esther,” he says slowly, gently. “Did you think I only wanted you for some kind of… I don’t know…”

“Friends with benefits?” I supply.

“Yeah. That,” he says. “Is that what you think?”

It was. It is. But I don’t know how to say that when he’s looking at me like I hung the moon.

“Esther, you mean so much to me. More than anyone else in the entire world.”

I search his eyes, looking for a hint of dishonesty, but he seems genuine. It gives me the courage I need to finally face all the fears I’ve been running from since starting my relationship with Miles.

“Miles,” I start.

He looks at me fully, giving me as much attention as if I was the most interesting person in the entire world.

With a calming breath, I finish my question.

“What exactly does the future look like to you? For you and me?”