Page 13 of The Billionaire's Pact

The lawyers presented another form along with the Belfiores’ family trust, which had my name and eight hundred thousand dollars in it as well as a list of things my grandparents had paid off for me. It had deducted my private school, college tuition, and an itemized list of all my care, including the mediators’ fees and my wedding. It still had money left, but from what I could decipher, it wasn’t something I could easily take away. I’d have to get authorization to do so until I turned forty or had a son. My head swam, dizzying with the impact of knowing how much of my life would still not be mine. Still, I signed. Then, Mr. Belfiore led us out of the room while Brenda met with him and the lawyers.

We joined my grandmother in the living room, and sat down on the newly upholstered, floral couches that faced an empty one, and waited. Not long after, Mr. Belfiore and Brenda joined us, and then the doorbell rang.

My heartbeat pounded as the sound of heels on marble grew louder and the Ashfords appeared. William was pastel-shirted and chinoed, while his mom was in a vintage Chanel pink suit with tights and heels. Mr. Ashford’s tanned face didn’t hide all the wrinkles present. His bleached bright smile shone as he moved a slow gaze over me approvingly, then held out his hand for me to shake. “Wow. You look even lovelier in person, Adelina.”

My lips curved. “Thank you, Mr. Ashford.”

Mr. Ashford’s head turned, and his brows went up as he watched his mother take a seat on the couch without acknowledgement.

He let out a light chuckle. “I’m Willy, and that’s my mother, the boss.” He gave me a wink.

I grinned. I know the feeling. His smile broadened.

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Ashford,” I said politely.

She lifted her chin and clutched her purse strap tight. “Can we get on with it?”

Brenda laughed loudly. “You’re so funny, Mrs. Ashford.” She motioned for one of the lawyers from the other room to take a seat. “This is our attorney, Kevin. He’s here to answer any legal questions you may have about what we discuss today. I’d like to confirm that everyone in here signed non-disclosure agreements, which both parties agreed to. So you can talk freely as nothing you say can leave this room without legal action.”

We all confirmed. I sat next to Mama while Mr. Ashford sat beside his mother.

She continued, “We’ve been in a discussion that we hoped we could work through together as a family since you will all soon become a family.”

Mrs. Ashford cleared her throat loudly. “Well, there’s some news that has recently come to our attention that we can’t ignore—”

“I believe we could look past it,” Mr. Ashford interrupted.

She gave him a cool stare. “I can’t. Now, I have no doubt Adelina is a lovely lady, but our private investigator informed us that she attacked her father when she was fourteen.”

My face heated, and I stared at Mama, whose eyes widened in surprise. Just hearing that brought it all back—me standing over Judge Colby….

My face swollen from his punches, with drops of blood oozing from my cut lip. But I won’t drop the folding chair. I crouch and tighten my grip, waiting for his next move.

He’s in a heap on the filthy orange carpet in the pay-by-the-hour motel room.

Fast wet breaths and coughs come from his lips.

His syringe and aluminum foil are ready for his next fix. He didn’t hide them anymore.

Mama tugging on my sore arm. “Let it go, Adelina.”

I see her face, red and bruised. Her clothes are torn off, but she grabs a sweater to cover my ripped shirt and cheap bra with the broken clasp.

He’s been waiting to cross that line.

The sound of sirens grow closer. Still, I swing the chair down on him.

Swing. “Never.”

Swing. “Asshole.”

Swing. “Just die.”

Pride swelled inside me as I remembered. I don’t care. I fought back.

“That was a long time ago, and in self-defense, because he was violent to us,” Mama said. “Since then, Adelina’s graduated with honors. She’s done a lot of volunteering at college and was a top fundraiser for every organization she became involved in.”

I’d volunteered and fundraised to help people who were in similar situations like my mom and I had been in, living with Judge Colby, who would always make our lives hell with his drugs and stealing.

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