Page 75 of Jael

“I thought we agreed to let it go.”

“No, we agreed that this is all too much for you. In fact, why don’t you let me book you in for a spa retreat? You are way overstressed right now. I’ve got a friend who can probably fit you in today. You can put Vita Nova out of your head. I’ll make sure everything keeps running smoothly. You can leave Becca in my hands.”

“I’m not comfortable with that. She’s very vulnerable at the moment.”

“I had hoped for your cooperation, but Heber Industries is listed as a trustee. I can get those files with a court order if I have to. Or I can go see Becca myself. I have the address right in front of me.”

“No. Please don’t do that. Okay. Fine. I’ll send you the file, but you have to promise me you won’t go visit her without getting permission from me first.”

“Permission?”

“Please, Christopher. This is really important. And you can’t tell her husband where she is either.”

“You don’t need to tell me how to do my job. I’m not heartless.”

“He’s a really bad man.”

“So she says.”

Jael squeezed her eyes closed. “I’ll get Hannah to send you the file as soon as she can.”

“Wonderful. I’ll be watching my inbox. And you take care today, okay? Call if you need anything.”

“I will.” She hung up and took several deep breaths. There were doctor’s reports in Becca’s file. And affidavits. It would be enough to convince most people, but would it convince Christopher? It only had to be enough to satisfy him that they were headed in the right direction. He had to see what a monster Becca’s husband was.

She clutched her hands to her chest to stop the trembling. She’d endured worse than Christopher in the past, but the flitting image of Danny that surfaced shook her deeper. She wanted to tell him everything. To have him tell her it would be okay and say he’d take care of her, but she was on her own. The same as always.

“It’s a fairytale you don’t deserve,” she reminded herself. “You deserve nothing.”

She called Hannah.

“Jael! It’s so good to hear from you. I’m sorry I told Danny where to find you, but I was really worried. You looked so upset.”

“It’s okay. You were right to tell him. I’m sure I’d have regrets this morning if you hadn’t.”

“Does that mean things are better?”

“Yeah. Everything’s great.”

“You’re sure? I just—I worry about you. You carry a lot of weight on your shoulders, and after your dad— It’s a lot to handle all at once.”

“It was a lot. But I’m fine.”

“Good. I mean. Sorry. I look forward to seeing you in the office whenever you’re ready.”

“I’ll be in when I can, but can you do me a favor and send Christopher Sisera the file on Bec? I’ll text you his email address.”

“Christopher? Why?”

“Because as the new CEO, he wants to know what he’s getting involved in.”

“Are we allowed to send it to him? Aren’t there confidentiality requirements?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. But as CEO of Heber industries, he has the power over our funding, and he knows where Becca is. He said he’ll stop the mortgage payments, and I don’t know what else to do.” She swallowed the emotion that pricked at her voiceand made it wobble. “I want him to get the full picture of what Becca has faced over the years, so include all the doctor’s reports and her daughter’s preliminary assessment. If there’s anything you feel is not appropriate for him to see, leave it out. He won’t know.”

“Got it. Not a problem. Leave it with me.”

“Thanks Hannah. I really appreciate your help. All of it.”

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