Page 246 of Love Unwritten
“Just one.”
Willow and Cole head back to Lake Wisteria while Rafael and I stay in Los Angeles for the next few days to wrap up the legal process and leave everything with Ava behind. By the time we are ready to meet with Ms. Copper to sign a few documents and receive my first official check, I’m desperate to go back home and never return.
A few paparazzi got wind of our story and the judge’s ruling, which means my name is trending on social media. I thought Ava having her America’s sweetheart sash revoked would make me happy, but all I feel is apathy toward the situation, which is a clear sign that I’m ready to move on.
“This is it?” My gaze flickers between the check, Rafael sitting beside me, and the lawyer standing on the other side of the conference table.
Ms. Copper tilts her head. “Were you expecting more?”
I stare at the check. “No, but…” I was hoping it would make me feel better or, at the very least, make me a little happy to know Ava finally had to pay up for her choices. Instead, all I feel is indifference toward the whole situation.
Hell, a text from my mom confirming Rafael, Nico, and I can come over for dinner this weekend brought more emotion out of me, and we have been doing that every other Sunday for the last six months.
“But what?” Ms. Copper asks.
“I thought it would mean more to me.”
Her eyes soften at the edges, which is a rare thing for her. In the few months I’ve been working with Ms. Copper and her legal team, I’ve learned she is as ruthless as she is smart.
“I see,” she says.
“After waiting this long for closure, I’m just…”
“Disappointed?” she offers.
“Yes.”
Rafael grips my hand under the conference room table.
“Cases like these can draw mixed emotions for some people. On the one hand, you get rightful compensation for being wronged, but on the other, you never get the closure you want. At least not unless you pursue it yourself.”
“Do I have to accept the money?” The lawyer already took a cut from the settlement agreement, so it isn’t like I need to do anything else, right?
Her lips purse. “Technically, you have to physically accept the checks, but what you choose to do with them is up to you. Same can be applied to any future royalties earned.”
“So, I can never cash it if I don’t want to?”
Rafael’s lips twitch.
“Not if you don’t want to.”
Once upon a time, I wanted nothing more than to be compensated for my work, but now that I have the opportunity to be, it makes me physically ill.
While I didn’t accept Rafael’s severance pay, I’m making plenty of money working with Cole, so I don’t need Ava’s. In fact, I don’t want anything to do with her stolen work or whatever royalties she made from it, especially if accepting it would make me feel worse than before.
I’ve moved on. I’m making a name for myself that has nothing to do with her, and I want to keep it that way.
After thanking Ms. Copper for everything she has done, I swipe the check off the table and walk out of the conference room with my head held high and my boyfriend by my side.
At my request, Rafael drives me to a local bank to cash my check. I’ve never seen so much money in my account at one time, but it only remains there for a total of ten minutes while the teller writes me a cashier’s check to a nonprofit charity that helps children who are struggling like I was.
I don’t need to look up the name because it is the same charity that helped my mom pay for psychological services after my father refused to. Because of donations like the one I’m about to make, my mom was able to find a therapist that helped me, and I hope that my anonymous contribution can do the same for many others.
For the first time today, I have a smile on my face as we exit the bank.
“I’m proud of you.” Rafael wraps his arm around my shoulder and kisses the top of my head.
“I didn’t do anything but cash a check.”