Chapter 5

The scent of polished leather and old books filled the air of Mr. Harrison Reed's office. He was a legend in the legal world, a man whose reputation for ruthless efficiency preceded him.

"I want a divorce," I stated, my voice steady. "And I want to sue. Graham Finley. Bella Savage. I want to sue them both for everything they have."

Mr. Reed nodded slowly. "Go on, Mrs. Wolfe."

"First, I want every shred of evidence regarding Graham's affair with Bella. I want his reputation as a family man utterly destroyed."

"Second, I want to reclaim every penny he spent on Bella and her daughter. He embezzled funds meant for Lily's care. That's theft, and medical malpractice."

"Third," I continued, "I want his medical license revoked. I want his career, his identity, his entire life's work, utterly incinerated. I want him to know what it feels like to lose everything."

Mr. Reed leaned back in his chair. "Understood, Mrs. Wolfe. We will begin immediately."

My phone buzzed. Graham. Bella must have received the legal papers.

"What the hell is this, Emma?" His voice was a furious roar. "Are you trying to ruin me?"

"Ruin you?" I countered. "I'm merely asking for what's mine. And for justice for Lily."

"Justice? You think suing Bella, a single mother living paycheck to paycheck, is justice?" he scoffed. "She's got nothing, Emma! You're a multi-billionaire! You're ruthless!"

"Conscience?" I laughed, a bitter, hollow sound. "You want to talk about conscience, Graham? You stole my daughter's heart! You let her die! Don't you dare talk to me about conscience."

"This is uncalled for, Emma. And what do you mean, medical malpractice? The heart was allocated through proper channels, I swear!" he stammered.

"I want every penny back, Graham. Every single cent you ever spent on Bella. And if you refuse, I will drag your name through every media outlet, every medical journal, until you are a pariah."

His breathing was ragged on the other end. "Emma, please... I know I made a mistake. I know I messed up with Lily. But Bella... Bella is fragile. Please, don't involve her."

A surge of white-hot fury flared within me. Fragile? Bella Savage was a parasite. And Graham, the idiot, still couldn't see it.

"Suffering?!" I hissed. "Lily suffered. Lily died, Graham. And you stood by, complicit in her murder. You think Bella's 'suffering' compares to that?"

"I want it all back, Graham. That luxury apartment you bought her? The private school tuition? The lavish vacations? I know all about it. I have eyes and ears everywhere."

He sputtered, speechless.

"Consider this your final warning, Graham," I said, my voice cold and steady. "Cooperate, or face total annihilation."

I hung up. My revenge would be surgical. Precise. Brutal.