Monday morning arrived too fast. Ethan dropped Khloe at school, came home, and sat in his kitchen staring at his phone. Diane said she’d call by noon with the judge’s decision. It was 9:47 a.m. Aurora texted, “You okay?” Ethan typed back, “No.” Three dots appeared, disappeared, appeared again. Finally, me neither. At 10:15, a black car pulled up across the street.

Two men in suits got out and walked toward Aurora’s house. Ethan’s stomach dropped. He was halfway out the door when his phone rang. “Diane, tell me good news,” Ethan said. The judge approved the motion. Damen’s assets are frozen pending a full investigation into the fraud. Ethan’s knees almost gave out.

“We won?” “Not yet, but we didn’t lose.” Diane paused. “There’s something else.” What? Damian’s lawyers are claiming you and Aurora conspired to frame him. They’re calling for a counter investigation. Of course they are. Which means this isn’t over. It’s going to get worse before it gets better. How much worse? Depositions, subpoenas, media attention.

Damen’s going to drag both of you through the mud until there’s nothing left. Ethan looked across the street at Aurora’s house where the two men in suits were now standing on her porch. Let him try,” Ethan said. He hung up and ran. Aurora opened the door just as Ethan reached her driveway. She looked pale, shaken. “They’re serving me with a defamation suit,” she said.

“Damian’s claiming I slandered him in the press.” “Did you? I haven’t talked to the press in 6 months.” One of the men in suit stepped forward. “Miss Sinclair, we need you to sign.” “She’s not signing anything,” Ethan said. The man looked at him. And you are her attorney. Ethan lied. You don’t look like an attorney.

And you don’t look like someone who wants a harassment lawsuit filed against them for serving papers without proper notice. The man’s expression hardened. This is proper notice. No, it’s intimidation. And we have cameras. Ethan pointed at the security system Aurora had installed. Every angle, every word. So unless you want your firm explaining to a judge why you showed up unannounced at a private residence to bully a woman who’s already under legal duress, I suggest you leave.

The two men exchanged glances. Then they left the papers on the porch and walked back to their car. Aurora stared at Ethan. You just lied to a process server. Yeah, that’s illegal. So is half the stuff Damian’s doing. I’m just evening the odds. Aurora started laughing. the kind of laugh that sounded a little unhinged.

“We’re going to lose,” she said. “Probably.” “And you’re okay with that?” “Not even a little bit,” Ethan took her hand. “But I’m not giving up, and neither are you.” Aurora squeezed his fingers so hard it hurt. “Okay,” she whispered. “Okay, okay, we fight.” The news broke that afternoon. Someone leaked the story to the press.

By evening, every major outlet was running headlines about Aurora Sinclair’s legal war with Damen Cross. Some painted her as a victim. Others called her vindictive. A few suggested the whole thing was a publicity stunt. Ethan’s name appeared in exactly three articles described as an associate or a friend helping with the case.

He knew it wouldn’t last. By Tuesday, reporters started showing up in Silver Creek. They parked on Ethan’s street, knocked on doors, asked neighbors questions about Aurora, about Ethan, about what kind of relationship they had. Mrs. Chen told them all to leave. The guy who ran the diner threatened to call the cops. Khloe’s school put extra security on the playground.

And through it all, Damen stayed quiet, which terrified Ethan more than anything. On Wednesday, Diane called again. Damen’s team filed a motion to dismiss based on insufficient evidence. Can they do that? They can try. The hearing scheduled for next Monday. What do we need? More proof. The forgeries are good, but we need witnesses.

People who saw Damian manipulate contracts. Coers investors. Anything that establishes a pattern. Aurora had employees. People who worked with both of them. Most of them signed NDAs. They can’t talk without risking lawsuits. What about Jessa? Diane went quiet. the assistant who let you into the building. Yeah, she’d be perfect, but she’s still employed by Cross Legal.

If she testifies, she loses her job. Maybe she doesn’t care. Most people care about their jobs, Ethan. Then we ask. Worst she can say is no. Diane sighed. I’ll reach out. She hung up. Ethan looked across the street at Aurora’s house. She was standing in the window watching him. He waved. She waved back.

And for just a second, Ethan let himself believe they might actually survive this. Thursday night, everything changed. Ethan was putting Khloe to bed when his phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number. Stop helping her or I’ll make sure you never see your daughter again. Ethan’s blood went cold. Another text. I know where she goes to school.

I know her teacher’s name. I know what time you pick her up. Walk away, Ethan, while you still can. His hand shook. He dialed Aurora immediately. Someone just threatened Chloe. Aurora’s voice went sharp. What? Ethan read her the messages. That’s Damian, she said. He’s trying to scare you. It’s working. Ethan, he threatened my daughter, Aurora. My 8-year-old daughter.

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