I closed my eyes and cleared my mind. “So I really have nothing? No home, not even a penny until my twenty-first birthday?” I opened my eyes and stared at Henry. “If my father had nothing and was in debt, where did the inheritance come from?”
“I’m sorry.” Henry gave me an empathetic smile. “It’s true your father had secured a substantial amount of debt. But Hades was correct that your mother had sequestered away funds and put them in an account that only you can access.”
I nodded, unable to speak as I listened and let it all sink in.
“So as far as all of your father’s properties and personal possessions…” He let those words hang between us. “All will be liquidated.”
“What about his portion of the business he shares with my grandfather and uncle?”
Henry shook his head. “There are safety nets in place for enterprises as large as Cronus to protect it. And your father’s share of it reverted to your grandfather.” He watched me, his glasses sliding a fraction along the bridge of his nose.
I looked down at my hands, which I’d curled into fists tight enough the pain of my nails made itself known. “What am I supposed to do?” I looked up at Henry.
I didn’tknowhim, aside from the few times he’d come to the house to discuss things with my father. But right now, he was the only friendly face in my life.
“Where am I supposed to live?” I refused to acknowledge the part of the legal forms about me being given to Hades.
The silence in the office was heavy. It was hot and stifling, and I couldn’t breathe suddenly. My chest started rising and flailing frantically. I tried to get some much-needed oxygen into my lungs.
The room spun although I was sitting, and I clenched my hands around the armrests, my palms sweaty and sliding on the smooth wood.
“How did my father lose all his money?” My voice sounded like it echoed in my ears, but I was proud of myself for not shaking and keeping my composure. As much as I could, anyway.
I felt the rush of adrenaline moving through my veins, my throat tightening, my pulse racing. It would be so easy to just break down. How was someone supposed to be strong in the face of death?
“Those aren’t things you need to worry about. Just know that although things look bleak right now, Mr. Cronus has offered you a solution.”
I didn’t like the tone of Henry’s voice, as if he just expected me to give in so easily. Maybe he saw my expression change and those thoughts filter across my expression because he exhaled wearily and clasped his hands on top of the table.
“You’ll be taken care of. And that’s what your parents would’ve wanted. They wouldn’t have wanted you to suffer. It’s why your mother set up the trust.” He gave me a small but genuine smile.“I’m sure if they knew things would’ve ended so quickly for them, they would’ve had different safety nets in place. But as it is, these are your options, Persephone. And as your father’s attorney and your advisor, I would strongly suggest you consider taking them.”
With a tight, sympathetic smile, Henry promptly left, and I sat there at the dining room table, just staring at the paperwork. He’d spread them out and highlighted the parts I was to sign. Although he’d gone through every sheet, making sure I understood every single point written, I was still so very confused.
I picked up the pen, the weight of it substantial. It had been the one my father used the most. With his name engraved in gold, it looked more like a piece of art than an instrument for writing.
Three years. That was all the time I needed.
After that, I would take my inheritance and move away. I would start my life.
I doubted I would ever see him. If he was anything like my father where their business was concerned, he was probably going to be gone, traveling, and in meetings a lot.
Yes… I could do this. I could be strong, not because I didn’t have a choice, but because I’d make the best out of the shittiest situation imaginable.
So I grabbed the pen, and with resolve and determination, I signed.
Once that was all done, I headed to my room and packed a bag. There were a lot of things that were just materialistic, items that I didn’t need to bring with me.
And as I filled my suitcase with my clothing and a framed picture of me and my parents, I sat on my bed and just looked around. I reached for my phone and searched for who Judge Wilcox was. Most of what came up was standard information about his age, credentials, and the circles he associated with. My breath caught when I saw an image of Hades standing next to the judge. Hades wore his signature apathetic expression as he stared at the camera and held a glass in one hand, dark liquid filling the crystal a quarter of the way.
The picture had been taken at a charity gala, where they’d recognized Hades as a primary benefactor. The judge had one hand raised as he laughed at something. His puffy cheeks were a ruddy color, and a sheen of sweat dotted his brow.
I did a bit more deep diving online and found an article from last year claiming the judge had been accused of gross misconduct with a girl at his son’s school when the student came forward and said Wilcox had accosted her and made grossly inappropriate remarks. But nothing came from it. No charges filed. No repercussions. They had brushed everything under the rug with mentions of coming to a settlement between the two parties.
I didn’t know how long I sat there, but it was the sound of the doorbell ringing that pulled me out of my thoughts.
After gripping the handle of my suitcase and walking out of my room and down the stairs, I held my head high and refused to show how uncomfortable the situation made me.
I wouldn’t give Hades that satisfaction.