"And before that?" "Different apartment in the same neighborhood." "Good. Stability Sarah looked up. I'm going to be honest with you, Clara.
This is going to be expensive. Not just my fees, but court costs, evaluation fees, potentially expert witnesses if your sister contests. She won't contest. She wants this. People say that then change their minds.
We need to prepare for the possibility. Clara's face went pale. How expensive are we talking? Sarah glanced at Ethan again, clearly weighing how much to say. With everything included, you're looking at 15 to 20,000 dollars, maybe more if complications arise.
The number hung in the air like a grenade. I don't have that kind of money, Clara said quietly. I don't have a tenth of that. There are options, payment plans, legal aid programs. I'll cover it, Ethan said.
Both women looked at him. Ethan, no. Clara started. It's a loan. You'll pay me back when you can.
But right now, Lily needs you to be her parent, and you can't do that if you're drowning in debt. I can't accept that much money from you. Why not? Because because we've been dating for 3 weeks. I can't take 20,000 dollars from someone I've known for 3 weeks.
4 weeks. Ethan corrected. And you're not taking it. I'm loaning it. There's a difference.
Clara looked at Sarah. Can you give us a minute? Of course. Sarah stepped into the hallway, closing the door behind her. Clara turned to Ethan, and her expression was something between desperate and angry.
Who are you? What? Who are you really? Because normal people don't just casually loan out 20,000 dollars. Normal people don't have lawyers on speed dial and connections to the best family law attorneys in the state.
So, who are you? Ethan's stomach dropped. Clara, tell me the truth. Are you rich? Like actually rich?
This was it. The moment he'd been dreading. He could lie, keep up the pretense a little longer, or he could tell her the truth and watch everything fall apart. I have money, he said carefully. More than most people.
How much more? Does it matter? Yes, it matters because I need to know what I'm getting into here. Are you a millionaire? Because that would explain a lot.
Ethan looked at Lily, still asleep on the couch, and thought about all the ways this could go wrong. More than that. Clara went very still. How much more? A lot more.
Ethan, can we not do this right now? Sarah's waiting in the hallway, Lily just found out her mom abandoned her, you have 30 days to file paperwork. Don't. Clara's voice was sharp. Don't use Lily as a shield.
You lied to me. I didn't lie. I just didn't tell you everything. That's the same thing. No, it's not.
I never lied about who I am. I just I wanted you to get to know me without all the other stuff getting in the way. What other stuff? Your secret fortune? Your apparently massive company?
What else haven't you told me? Ethan ran his hand through his hair, frustration and guilt warring in his chest. My family owns Mercer Home Industries. It's a building materials company. Regional, like I said, but bigger than I made it sound.
How much bigger? Biggest supplier in the Pacific Northwest. Clara stared at him. That's That's a billion-dollar company. Yes.
And you own it? Most of it. My sister has shares, but I run it. Oh my god. Clara sat down hard on the couch, careful not to wake Lily.
You're a billionaire. The company is worth that. I'm not walking around with billions in my pocket. That's not the point. She looked up at him.
And there were tears on her face now. You watched me stress about money, about legal fees and rent, and whether I could afford to buy Lily new shoes, and you just what? Thought it was cute watching the poor girl struggle? No, Clara, no. I was trying to figure out how to help without making you feel like like a charity case.
Too late for that. You're not a charity case. Then what am I? Your project? The struggling single mom you get to rescue?
You're someone I care about. You barely know me. I know enough. Ethan's voice rose, then he forced it back down. I know you work yourself to exhaustion trying to give Lily a good life.
I know you're terrified you're not enough, but you show up every day anyway. I know you're one of the strongest people I've ever met. That's what I know. Clara wiped her eyes. You should have told me.
When? The first date when you were 45 minutes late with a wet kid? The second date when you were freaking out about your babysitter? When exactly was the right time to say, "Hey, by the way, I'm secretly a billionaire?" Before you offered to pay for my lawyer, before you wormed your way into my life pretending to be someone you're not.
I didn't pretend. Everything I told you was true. I do work in construction materials. I do build furniture. I do hate fancy parties and golf and all the [ __ ] that comes with money.
The only thing I didn't tell you was how much of it I have. They stared at each other, both breathing hard. I can't do this right now, Clara said finally. I have a lawyer waiting in the hallway and a traumatized kid on my couch, and I can't I can't process this right now. Okay.
I need you to leave. Clara. Please, just give me some space. I'll call you when I figured out how I feel about all this. Ethan wanted to argue, to make her understand, to fix this the way he couldn't fix anything else.
But the look on her face stopped him. Okay, he said quietly. I'll go. But I meant what I said about the loan. Sarah's fee is covered regardless of what happens with us.
Lily deserves that. I'll pay you back." "I know." He walked to the door, then stopped. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry.
I should have told you sooner." "You're right about that." Clara didn't respond. Ethan stepped into the hallway where Sarah was checking her phone. "She's ready for you."
"And you?" "I'm leaving." Sarah studied him. "Did you just torpedo your relationship to help her keep that kid?" "Probably."
"That's either really noble or really stupid." "Can't it be both?" Sarah actually smiled. "Yeah, it usually is." She knocked on Clara's door.
"One more thing, Mr. Mercer. Your secret it won't stay secret much longer. Court documents are public record. Once we file, anyone can look up who's funding this case." "I know."
"So, this was always going to come out." "I know that, too." Sarah shook her head and went inside. Ethan walked down the three flights of stairs, past the flickering light and the couple arguing in Spanish, out into the parking lot where his truck sat next to cars held together with duct tape and prayer. He sat behind the wheel for a long time, not starting the engine, just staring at Clara's building and thinking about all the ways money was supposed to make life easier, but somehow just made everything more complicated.
His phone rang. "Rachel." "How's Clara doing?" "She hates me." "What happened?"
"She found out." "About the money?" "Ethan." "I know. You warned me.
You were right." "What are you going to do?" "Give her space. Hope she calls. Try not to make it worse."
"Did you at least get her the lawyer?" "Yeah, Sarah Chen. Best family law attorney in the state, according to Marcus." "How much is that costing you?" "I I care."