#Chapter 46: One Step Forward Two Back

Emily I didn’t even realize I’d been holding my breath until the message from my lawyer came through: MOTION GRANTED. Access to property archives approved. Just like that, years of being ignored, dismissed, and strategically delayed began to crack open. I stared at the text for a long moment, not sure whether I was relieved or just stunned. The victory wasn’t big enough to win anything on its own—but it was real. Tangible. For the first time, the law had acknowledged that I might have a case worth hearing. That my mother’s estate was worth uncovering. The office was quiet this time of day. Most of the staff had filtered out for the evening or early dinners. I’d stayed late on purpose, mostly to avoid crossing paths with Logan again after what happened yesterday. Or what didn’t happen, depending how one measured silence. I leaned back in my chair, letting my eyes close for a second, just one, long enough to let it sink in. I haven’t won yet. But I’d pushed the door open.