---- Chapter 7: What Am I Even Supposed to Do? When Sierra showed up, Leo was bouncing off the walls, clutching the black card Aaron had left behind, shouting, "We've got a million bucks! We've got a million bucks!" Clara felt completely wiped out-like she'd run a marathon in her mind. There was no way she could drag herself to work, so she called her boss and took the afternoon off. She slumped onto the couch, utterly drained, sighing, "Son, even a million won't buy us a house these days." Housing prices in Greystone had shot through the roof. in recent years. And Riverbend Villas? That new upscale neighborhood from UrbanHaven Development was everywhere in ads, all shiny and perfect with every fancy amenity you could imagine. The price tag? Way out of reach for normal working folks like them. Sierra, with practiced ease, opened a cabinet, pulled out some building blocks, and settled the two kids onto the soft playmat. Then she gently helped Clara to her feet. "Okay, spill it. ---- How did Aaron track you down? We pulled off that stunt so smoothly-no one was supposed to know!" Clara threw a magazine from Leo's backpack at Sierra, tears threatening to spill, "It's your fault! You said those things that day, and Leo heard. This morning, he marched into Aaron's office to collect!" "Wait, what?! Leo's that gutsy? He found Aaron's office all by himself? Damn, this kid's got brains! Must be genetic-no wonder you picked that gene!" Sierra laughed. "So? Is Aaron still as drop-dead handsome in real life?" Sierra only caught a glimpse of him back when he was unconscious, but that face was. unforgettable-heartstopper material. She'd also spotted him in the business news now and then, the so-called "hottest lawyer" in town. Clara groaned. "Is that what matters now? The real problem is he's definitely going to try to take Leo. What the hell am I supposed to do?" "What to do? Fight fire with fire! Water meets earth!" Sierra clapped her hands, buzzing with excitement. "Wasn't he single in that interview? He's single, you're not married, and if he wants Leo, he can't just cut you out, right? Honestly, don't you want Leo to have a complete family?" ---- "We're not close at all!" Clara buried her face in a pillow, wishing she could disappear like an ostrich. Right now, all she wanted was for Aaron to be married with a dozen kids already. That way, he wouldn't even bother fighting for custody. Clara sighed, "If I move-leave Greystone-where should I go? Back to Silverton? Or somewhere else...?" "No way! I just got here to be with you, and you're already thinking of ditching me?" Sierra interrupted. "And do you really think a big-shot lawyer is easy to avoid? You're dreaming." Clara shrugged. "Okay, okay, I'm just thinking out loud. Running away isn't going to fix anything." "Good! That's the right attitude. Sit down, talk it out. You'll figure it out." Clara leaned on Sierra's shoulder and finally felt a little bit of peace. Meanwhile, Aaron walked into the firm, and Matt greeted him, "Mr. Grant is in Conference Room One." Aaron nodded. "I sent you a photo on WhatsApp. Get Brody to dig up everything on that woman-every detail. ASAP." Brody was their go-to private eye, a pro at uncovering ---- dirt. Matt replied, "Got it. I'll get on it right away. Also, do you want to change your flight to L.A. tomorrow morning at 82" Aaron paused at the door, then said, "No, keep the original plan." He turned and stepped into the conference room. Night fell. Clara finished telling two stories and singing a lullaby, and Leo finally drifted off to sleep. Clara stepped out of the living room, tidied up the toys, quickly straightened the place, then sat down and checked her phone. No new messages, no calls-thank God. She'd been on edge all day, terrified Aaron might just hit her with a legal notice out of nowhere. The thought of losing Leo squeezed her chest tight, making it hard to breathe. Since her dad died, her mom had been her rock-and now her mom was gone too. Leo was everything to her. She really wanted to block Aaron... but she didn't have the guts. With a heavy sigh, Clara set her phone down.