And I don't know what to tell her. Tell her the truth. That her mom abandoned her again? That you're making sure she's safe. That you're handling it.
That's what she needs to hear. Clara nodded slowly, but she didn't look convinced. She's going to be devastated. Yeah, probably. And I'm going to have to hold it together while she falls apart.
And I don't know if I can do that. You can. You've been doing it for 2 years. 2 years of temporary. This is permanent.
This is me becoming her legal parent, not just her babysitter aunt. That's Clara's voice cracked. That's terrifying. Ethan wanted to pull her into his arms, but something in her posture said she needed space to break down without an audience. So, he stood up instead.
I'm going to make some calls, he said. Figure out the lawyer situation. You take a shower, get dressed, do whatever you need to do before you pick up Lily. Ethan, I'm not leaving. I'll be right here when you get back.
Clara looked at him like he'd promised something impossible. Then she nodded and disappeared into the bathroom. Ethan waited until he heard the shower start, then stepped out into the hallway and called his personal attorney. Marcus, I need a family law specialist, best one you know. What kind of case?
Custody. Single guardian adopting her niece. Mother's terminating her rights voluntarily, but the paperwork is a nightmare. That's not really my area, but I know someone, Sarah Chen. She's sharp and she doesn't play games.
You want me to set up a meeting? Today if possible. Ethan, it's 3:00 in the afternoon. Most lawyers Tell her I'll pay triple her usual rate for an emergency consultation today. Marcus was quiet for a moment.
This is personal, isn't it? Yeah. The woman Rachel mentioned? Yeah. Does she know about No. And she's not going to.
Not from you, not from Sarah Chen, not from anyone. As far as anyone's concerned, I'm just a guy helping out someone I'm dating. Ethan, if you're paying the legal fees so I'm loaning the money. She'll pay me back. That's the deal.
If you say so. Marcus didn't sound convinced. I'll call Sarah. Expect to hear from her within the hour. Thanks.
Ethan hung up and stared at the peeling paint on the hallway wall. Three doors down, someone was cooking something that smelled like burnt onions. A A baby cried. The building settled with a groan that suggested the foundation really was as bad as it looked. He could fix all of this.
One phone call and Clara would have a lawyer, a new apartment, a trust fund for Lily's education. Hell, he could buy the entire building and renovate it, make it safe for everyone who lived here. But Clara would hate him for it. The bathroom door opened. Clara emerged still looking wrecked, but at least clean.
She changed into jeans and a sweater, pulled her hair back into a braid. "Feel better?" Ethan asked. "Not really, but I'm functional." "That's something."
His phone rang. Sarah Chen already calling back. "I need to take this," he told Clara. "Okay." He stepped back into the hallway.
"Hello? Mr. Mercer, this is Sarah Chen. Marcus said you have a custody situation that needs immediate attention." "Not me. A friend.
The mother's voluntarily terminating rights. My friend needs to file for legal guardianship within 30 days or the state gets involved." "How old is the child?" "Seven, almost eight." "And your friend has been the primary caregiver?"
"For 2 years." "That's good. Makes the case stronger. I can meet this evening, 6:00 at my office?" Ethan thought about Clara's face when he'd mentioned lawyers.
"Can you do a home visit instead? She's dealing with a lot right now. Going to an office might be overwhelming." Sarah was quiet for a moment. "That's unusual."
"I know. I'll make it worth your time." "Marcus mentioned triple rate." "Quadruple for a home visit. Mr. Mercer, I appreciate the business, but I should mention that custody cases can get expensive fast.
Court fees, filing costs, expert witnesses if it goes to a hearing, you're looking at potentially tens of thousands of dollars. Is your friend prepared for that?" "I'm covering it." "Does she know that? She thinks it's a loan.
Mr. Mercer, I know how it sounds, but she won't accept charity. This is the only way she'll let me help. Sarah sighed. Fine. Text me the address.
I'll be there at 6:00. But Ethan, she's going to figure out eventually that you're not just some guy who works in construction materials. I know. And when she does, she's going to be pissed. I know that, too.
He hung up and went back inside. Clara was sitting at the table staring at the pile of legal documents like they might spontaneously combust if she looked hard enough. I got you a lawyer, Ethan said. She's coming here at 6:00. Clara's head snapped up.
Here? Today? Yeah. How much is this going to cost me? We'll figure it out.
Ethan. Clara, please let me do this. You can pay me back, set up a payment plan, whatever makes you feel better, but right now you need help. Let me help. She looked at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable.
Then she nodded. Okay, but I'm paying you back, every cent. Deal. Clara checked her phone. I need to get Lily in 20 minutes.
I'll drive you. You don't have to I want to. They drove to Lily's school in silence. Ethan kept glancing at Clara, watching her stare out the window with the kind of blank expression people get when they're trying very hard not to feel anything. You want me to come in with you?