“Can I help you?” I ask, cracking open the door.
“Katharine Firestone?”
“Yes.”
She snaps open her briefcase, whips out a thick manila envelope, and thrusts it into my arms. “You’ve been served.”
With that, she pivots and heads back to her car. Halfway there, she hesitates.
“Merry Christmas,” she calls back, an afterthought.
“Merry Christmas,” I echo dully, clutching the papers in my hands until my fingertips turn white. Harper leads me back inside while Masters ensures the gate closes properly behind the Mercedes. I grab a knife from the block on the countertop, filet the envelope like a fresh fish, and lay the papers flat against the shining granite of my kitchen island.
I start to read.
Then, I start to laugh.
And laugh. And laugh some more, until I’m gasping for air. Until tears are streaming from my eyes and snot is leaking from my nose and the whole world goes slightly static around the edges.
“What is it?” Masters asks. “What’s going on?”
Harper is scanning the documents. I hear her gasp.
“It’s her… her…”
“My mother,” I croak, laugh-crying.
“Your mother?” Masters sounds confused. “What about your mother? Is she okay?”
“Okay?! Oh, I’m sure she’s great. Never better, in fact.” My voice is laced with a hysterical edge. “She’s suing me.”
“Yourmotheris suing you?”
“Me, the AXC Network, Wyatt…” I shake my head. “Basically, everyone she could think of who might possibly be exploited for cash in a quick settlement.”
“On what grounds?” he asks, shocked.
“Unlawful termination. Failure to compensate. Breach of contract. And about ten other ridiculous charges she pulled out of her ass, just for a thrill.”
“What a bitch,” Harper hisses.
Masters looks concerned. “Does she have a case?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did you ever sign a contract?”
I think back. “No. But I was a minor when she started representing me. She’s mymother; I didn’t think I needed a contract. Besides, until a few years ago, she had the legal authority to make decisions on my behalf. I’m not sure if she could’ve signed something that grants her rights over me now, as an adult… I’ve never seen the paperwork. I’m not even sure thereisany paperwork.”
Masters is looking graver than ever.
“Don’t worry,” Harper assures me thinly. “We’ll figure it out. You just need to get a lawyer. Talk to the network, see if they have a strategy for this kind of thing. And… talk to Wyatt. He’s tied up in this too. I bet he’ll know how to handle it.”
I was worried she’d suggest that.
With a grunt of disbelief, I drop my forehead onto the cool granite.
Harper strokes my hair and murmurs under her breath.