The world was crumbling around her but Daniel held her firmly by the shoulders. Look at me, he said in a harsh voice. We’re going to fix this.
How? She whispered. Fear reflected in her eyes. It’s Eleanor.
She’s powerful. She has money, contacts, lawyers. And I do too.
Daniel interrupted. I’m not going to let her win but Amelia couldn’t breathe. Her whole body was on alert as if her instinct was screaming at her to run before it was too late.
We need a plan. Daniel continued. We can’t act impulsively.
Amelia rubbed her temples. We can’t let this go to trial. It won’t.
Amelia looked at him in disbelief. Daniel, your mother doesn’t play fair. I know.
He said coldly. And that’s why I’m going to confront her her way. The next few days were chaos.
Daniel contacted his trusted lawyers and prepared his defense. Amelia met with specialists to prove that Leo was fine with her but anxiety wouldn’t let her sleep. Every day she expected to receive a notification that something was wrong.
A legal blow that would put them against the ropes and when it came it wasn’t what she expected. A letter delivered to her door. You have one last chance to do the right thing.
Don’t make this harder for everyone. See you tomorrow at 10 a.m. Eleanor. Amelia felt her blood run cold.
You’re not going alone. Daniel said as soon as he read the letter. I’m not going at all.
Amelia replied angrily. If you don’t go you’ll just give her more reasons to attack us. Amelia clenched her fists.
I’m not going to let her manipulate me again. Daniel looked at her seriously. That’s why I’m going with you.
She hesitated. She knew confronting Eleanor was a risk but she also knew they couldn’t keep running. The meeting was at an elegant restaurant away from the city.
Eleanor was already waiting when they arrived. She was dressed as always impeccable with an expression of calm superiority. I see you’ve brought reinforcements she said with a sharp smile.
Daniel sat across from her. Cut the crap mom. Eleanor sighed with feigned disappointment.
Always so aggressive Amelia crossed her arms. Tell us what you want. Eleanor looked at them coldly.
I want what’s best for Leo. Daniel let out a dry laugh. And you’re what’s best? Of course.
Amelia felt like screaming. You don’t care about him. You just want to control everything.
Eleanor gave her a bored look. What I want is to spare him a life of mediocrity. Do you really think you can give him what he needs? Amelia’s stomach churned.
My son is not an object for you to decide what he wants. I don’t know what to do with him. Eleanor calmly took a sip of her coffee.
What he is is a Brooks. And that means he deserves more than you can give him. Daniel looked at her with contained fury.
You’re not going to touch him. Eleanor raised an eyebrow. And what are you going to do to stop me? Silence spread between them.
Amelia felt the fear in her skin. Eleanor never made empty threats. And the worst part was that he knew it.
The war had just begun. Daniel clenched his fists under the table. You’re not going to win, mom.
Eleanor looked at him with an almost amused smile. And who’s going to stop me? You? Yes. His tone was so cold and firm that for the first time Eleanor’s expression changed.
Amelia saw the woman’s eyes narrow slightly. She knew she was calculating. She was measuring her own son as if he were a pawn in her game.
You have no idea what you’re doing, Eleanor finally said. Daniel rested his elbows on the table and spoke calmly. Neither do you.
The woman raised an eyebrow as if amused by his bravery. Enlighten me. Daniel took a deep breath and looked her directly in the eyes.
If you take this to court I’ll go public. Eleanor smiled but there was a shadow in her gaze. And you think that scares me? It doesn’t scare you but it makes you uncomfortable and you hate being uncomfortable, don’t you? Amelia tensed.
Daniel was right. Eleanor Brooks built her reputation on an image of an unblemished woman, a benefactor, an unbreakable businesswoman. A scandal of this magnitude would put the press all over her.
Daniel continued without giving her time to respond. I have proof of everything, of how you interfered in my private life, of how you manipulated Amelia to leave and if you decide to go ahead with this I swear every damn newspaper and every news outlet in this country will find out. Eleanor narrowed her eyes.
That will also affect you. I prefer that to my son. The silence was heavy.
Amelia felt her heart pound in her chest. Eleanor slowly turned her head towards her. You approve of this? Amelia didn’t look away.
I don’t need to approve of it. Leo is mine and Daniel’s not yours. Eleanor smiled mockingly.
You have no idea the mistake you’re making. Daniel crossed his arms. There was a long silence.
Then Eleanor elegantly stood up and took her purse. I’ll think about it. Daniel and Amelia watched her walk away without saying a word but they both knew that this war was not over yet.
The next few days were hell. Every hour Amelia expected to receive notification of the lawsuit. Every call she received made her heart jump.
But days passed and nothing came. Until out of nowhere Daniel received a message. Enjoy your victory but remember Daniel there’s always more than one way to win.
Amelia felt a chill when he showed her the screen. What do you think it means? She asked in a whisper. Daniel clenched his jaw.
It means that for now she’ll leave us alone. Amelia sighed but her body remained tense. I don’t like this.
Daniel looked at her seriously. Me neither but for the first time I think I beat my mother. And although fear still surrounded them they knew they had crossed a line from which Eleanor could no longer return.
No matter what she tried next Leo was still with them and that was all that mattered. This is such a gripping turn of events. Do you think Eleanor is truly defeated or is she plotting something new? What do you think Daniel and Amelia’s next steps should be? Share your predictions in the comments below.