“You have one hour,” Elias said. “Then I file the counter-suit.”

“I’ll be back,” I said.

I turned and walked out of the office, my heels clicking against the marble floor.

The reception area was quiet. Elias’s secretary didn’t look up as I passed.

I took the elevator down to the lobby.

The descent made my ears pop.

When the doors opened, the bustling noise of the lobby washed over me.

I walked quickly toward the revolving doors and stepped out into the cold rain.

The damp air hit my face, shocking my senses.

I pulled my coat tight around myself and walked down the block.

I stopped under the awning of a closed coffee shop.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Daniel’s number.

He answered on the second ring. “Is it done?”

His voice was warm, friendly, and completely false.

“I saw the transfer,” I said, keeping my voice low.

“Good,” Daniel said. “That is just the beginning, Ava. You’ll never have to worry about money again.”

“Why the maiden name, Daniel?” I asked.

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line.