I snort before letting go of my food. “I’m starting to think we’re not going to make it.”
“I’m starting to think that too, and you know I’m always positive, but this time… It would take a miracle.”
“A miracle, you say. Maybe not a miracle, but…”
“What are you talking about?”
“If I told you I had something in my hand, something that could decide the fate of the case.”
“I’d tell you to spit it out, right now.” Paul puts the chopsticks in his container and dabs his mouth with a napkin.
“I’m in possession of information… Personal. Very personal information that could help us win.”
“And will you share it with me?”
“He’ll never forgive me.” I bend over the briefcase on the floor next to the chair, open it, and pull out the letter I took from Seth’s belongings without his permission. Paul opens it, a few lines and his eyes snap to mine. “This is what it takes.” He points to the letter with his finger. “This can really make a difference.”
“I don’t know if I can do this.”
“What do you mean? Of course you can!”
“Seth doesn’t want anyone else to read it.”
“I don’t think I understand.”
“These are his brother’s last words to him. They are important and they belong to him alone. He doesn’t want to use them to win.”
“Then why are you showing them to me?”
“I don’t know.”
“Does he know you have them?”
I lower my head, guilty.
“You took it without his consent?”
“I thought that… I don’t know. I did a terrible thing, I know that, but you saw the judge’s face today, and you heard how they described him.”
“You want my approval?”
“I don’t know what to do.”
“You are his lawyer. You were hired to win his case.”
“If I give this letter to the judge, I’ll be done with him forever. But if I don’t…"
If I don’t, the kids will probably be taken away from him. And I made a promise. And this time I intend to keep it. Whatever the cost.
“You have to think about what is most important right now. This is not about you, Rowan. As much as you may have real feelings for your fake boyfriend…”
“The kids. The kids are everything to Seth. He can’t lose them, and they can’t lose him.”
I want the kids to stay with him. And I am prepared to do whatever it takes to make that happen.
I am also ready to lose them.
“I think you know very well what you have to do.”
