Page 144 of The Obvious Check

Fern's smile softens like she can read the devastation written across my face. “You two clearly have a rock-solid foundation, which will carry significant weight with the judge.”

Yeah, so rock-solid that just before they entered, we were fighting.

Ivy closes the file, and there’s a finality in the move that makes me feel like this is really happening. Then she fixes her gaze on Cade. “I’d like to speak with you privately for a minute, if that’s possible?”

I frown. “Why?”

She meets my stare evenly, no bullshit in her expression. “Because if he's going to be financially responsible for Adley, I need him to understand exactly what that entails. It's standard procedure in cases like this.”

Cade glances at me briefly before nodding. “That's fine.”

Fern pats my knee gently. “Savannah, why don't we step into the kitchen? I'd like to go over a few things while they talk.”

I hesitate, every instinct screaming at me not to leave. But Cade gives me that steady look, the one that tells me he's got this handled, that I can trust him to fight for us even when I can't fight for myself.

“It's fine, Pretty Girl,” he murmurs, and the way he says it makes my heart clench. “Go with Fern.”

As I stand, Stanley jumps up too, his nails clicking against the hardwood and his fur rubbing against my leg as he follows me toward the kitchen. If Cade can’t be with me, Stanley isn’t going to let me deal with this alone.

I just hope Ivy sees what I see. Cade isn’t just my husband. He’s my everything. My protector, my savior. He’s the only reason any of this is possible. He’s the only reason I still have hope in this world. I can't wait for him to meet Adley, for her to see that she's getting more than just a sister. She's getting a family.

If he survives long enough to meet her.

The thought hits me like a sucker punch, and I have to grip the kitchen counter to keep from falling apart.

Twenty minutes later, Ivy and Cade step back into the living room. Although his jaw is tight, his shoulders are relaxed. There are no obvious signs that anything went wrong, but the knots in my stomach refuse to loosen.

Ivy smooths her blazer as she gathers her things from the coffee table. “I have everything I need for now. I'll start drafting the paperwork and reaching out to the necessary parties. In the meantime, continue gathering all the documents we discussed… financial statements, employment verification,proof of residency. The stronger our evidence, the better our chances.”

Cade nods without hesitation. “You'll have everything by the end of the week.”

Will they?The question burns in my throat, but I bite it back. Now isn’t the time or place.

Fern steps forward, squeezing my forearm with maternal warmth. “You're doing amazing, Savannah. This process is exhausting, but you have a strong case. We'll be with you every step of the way.”

I swallow the emotion threatening to choke me and force a smile. “Thank you.”

“I'll be in touch soon,” Ivy says with a firm nod.

Cade opens the door for them, ever the gentleman, offering polite goodbyes as they disappear into the hallway. The moment the door clicks shut, I exhale a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

Stanley, sensing the shift in energy, huffs dramatically before trotting back to the couch and flopping down like he's the one who just survived an interrogation.

Cade lingers by the door for a beat, his hand resting on the knob. I study him carefully, taking in the way his shoulders roll back, the way his fingers flex against his thigh, and then I clear my throat. “What did Ivy say to you?”

He turns slowly, his green eyes locking onto mine, and for a moment, he just looks at me, really looks at me, like he’s weighing what he’s about to say.

“She asked about my financials, like she said she would,” he starts, stepping toward me. “Wanted to know what my contract with the Anglerfish includes, how stable my income will be, if I have any outstanding debts.”

“And?”

His lips press together for a second before he exhales. “She also asked if I understood the responsibility I was taking on, and if I was sure about this.”

I freeze. “And what did you say?”

His expression softens, but his voice is steady. “I told her I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

The words hit me like a physical blow because I know they're not just about Adley. They're about everything: Taking on my sister, the fight, the risk he's taking with our entire future.

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