Chapter 15 A Line Crossed
The next day, Sarah had to visit her lawyer.
Sarah sat in the waiting room with her bag on her lap and her legs crossed tightly.
She hated places like this. Offices that smelled like old paper and false confidence. Places where men spoke too much and listened too little.
“Ms. Hayes?”
She looked up.
Her lawyer, Crude Farwell stood by the door to his office. He was in his late fifties, with thinning hair and a smile that always stayed a second too long.
“Yes,” she said, standing.
“Come in,” he said warmly. “Please.”
She followed him inside and sat across from his desk. He closed the door behind her.
“So,” he said, settling into his chair. “You sounded upset on the phone.”
“I am,” Sarah replied. “My ex-husband showed up at my office.”
Crude raised an eyebrow. “Joseph Hayes.”
“Yes,” she said. “He’s asking for a settlement. He says he helped build my company.”
Crude scoffed. “That’s ridiculous.”
“It is,” Sarah agreed. “He never supported me. He discouraged me. He tried to stop me from taking loans. Now that the business is doing well, he wants a share.”
Crude leaned back. “Men like that are predictable.”
“He’s threatening court,” Sarah continued. “I want to know my options.”
“You have nothing to worry about,” Crude said quickly. “Nothing at all.”
She relaxed slightly. “You’re sure?”
“I’ll do everything within my power to make sure he gets nothing,” he said. “Your business is yours. Clean records. Clear ownership.”
“Thank you,” she said. “That’s a relief.”
He smiled. “You’ve always been smart, Sarah. Strong. I remember telling you that during the divorce.”
She nodded. “You did.”
“And now look at you,” he added. “Single. Successful. Your business has grown even better.”
Something in his tone made her shift in her seat.
“Yes,” she said carefully. “That’s where I am right now.”
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “Being single can be hard.”
She frowned slightly. “It can be.”
“A woman like you shouldn’t be alone,” he said.
She blinked. “Excuse me?”
“I mean,” he went on smoothly, “you’ve carried a lot. You need someone solid.”
“I have support,” she said. “Friends. Family.”
And Alex who's been making me jump these days.
“I meant a man,” he said plainly.
Her back straightened. “Mr. Farwell, I’m here about a legal issue.”
He chuckled. “Relax. I’m just being honest.”
She forced a polite smile. “Let’s stick to the case.”
“Of course,” he said, waving a hand. “Of course.”
He opened a file. “Joseph has no claim. If he files, we counter. He’ll lose.”
“That’s all I needed to hear,” she said.
But he didn’t close the file.
Instead, he looked at her again. Slowly.
“You’ve aged well,” he said.
Her smile vanished. “What?”
“I’ve known you for years,” he continued. “You look better now than you did back then.”
“That’s not appropriate the way you're saying it,” she said firmly.
He laughed softly. “You’re too tense.”
She stood up. “I think we’re done here, Mr Farwell.”
“Sit,” he said lightly. “I’m not finished.”
She hesitated, then sat back down, uneasy.
“You know,” he said, lowering his voice, “men like Joseph don’t deserve women like you.”
Her stomach tightened. “Please stop.”
“I’m saying,” he continued, “you need someone who understands power. Someone experienced.”
He stood up and walked around the desk.
Sarah’s pulse quickened.
“Crude,” she said sharply. “Go back to your seat.”
He ignored her.
“You’ve been alone too long,” he said. “That makes women vulnerable.”
“That’s enough,” she snapped, standing again.
He reached out and touched her arm.
She froze.
“Don’t,” she said.
His hand lingered. “You don’t have to be so cold.”
She pulled away hard. “Do not touch me.”
He raised his hands slightly, smiling. “You’re misunderstanding me.”
“I’m not,” she said, her voice shaking with anger. “You’re crossing a line.”
He stepped closer. “I’m offering comfort.”
“I didn’t ask for it,” she said.
His hand moved again, this time toward her waist.
She stepped back fast. “Stop!”
The smile on his face faded a little. “You’re overreacting.”
“No,” she said, grabbing her bag. “You’re a lawyer. Act like one.”
She moved toward the door.
“Sarah,” he said. “You know I mean well for you and you won't say otherwise.”
She turned. “And if I say otherwise?”
“I’m just saying you need me,” he replied calmly.
She stared at him, disbelief and disgust washing over her.
“No,” she said. “I don’t.”
She opened the door and walked out, her heart pounding.
The hallway felt too long. Her hands were shaking as she reached the elevator.
When the doors closed, she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
“What is wrong with everyone?” she whispered.
First Gary MacIntyre.
Now Crude Farwell.
She leaned against the wall of the elevator, anger rising in her chest.
Was this what people saw when they looked at her? A single woman to be tested? Crossed?
By the time she reached the parking lot, her jaw was tight.
She took out her phone and stared at it.
Alex’s name sat there.
She didn’t call him.