Vance did not panic.

That frightened Marisol more than anger would have.

He simply smiled.

“You think I hurt Giata?”

“I think you know more than you've told me.”

“Be careful with accusations.”

Elias stepped forward.

Marisol touched his arm.

“Don't.”

He looked at her.

She shook her head.

“Make him talk.”

Vance laughed.

“The maid gives orders now?”

Giata spoke from behind Elias.

“Her name is Marisol.”

Vance looked at her.

Giata held his gaze.

“And I remember.”

The smile vanished.

“What?”

“The storage locker.”

Elias turned.

Giata’s breathing quickened.

“Dad gave me a key. I put copies there.”

“Where?”

“Union Station.”

Vance moved toward the doorway.

Elias’s men blocked him.

“No one is touching anybody,” Elias said.

Vance looked amused again.

“What exactly are you going to do?”

“Have coffee.”

“What?”

Elias adjusted his cuff.

“Tomorrow morning, my attorney will open that locker.”

Vance stared.

“If there's nothing inside, you walk out of my life.”

“And if there is?”

“Then we'll let documents do the talking.”

Vance’s confidence cracked.

That was all Elias needed.

The next morning, the locker was opened.

Inside sat an old leather case.

Contracts.

Bank transfers.

Corporate records.

And something else.

A folder containing copies of Marisol’s debt.

Her forged signature had been purchased by a company controlled by Vance.

Marisol stared at the page.

“He bought my debt?”

Elias’s attorney nodded.

“Months before you were hired.”

“Why?”

Elias answered.

“To control you.”

Marisol sat down.

For once, she had no comeback.

Elias watched her.

“Your ex-husband?”

The attorney turned another page.

“Received a payment shortly before leaving Illinois.”

Marisol closed her eyes.

“So all these years…”

Elias finished the thought.

“You were paying a debt Vance helped create.”

Marisol stood.

“Where is he?”

“Marisol.”

“Where?”

Elias stepped in front of her.

“No.”

“Move.”

“No.”

“He stole years from me.”

“I know.”

“You don't know.”

She pointed toward herself.

“I skipped meals. I worked injured. I counted coins to decide whether I could take a bus.”

Elias didn't move.

“And now we have evidence.”

“So?”

“So we use it.”

Marisol stared at him.

“Not rage. Evidence.”

Her breathing slowed.

Behind them, Giata said quietly:

“He's right.”

Marisol looked at her.

Giata rolled closer.

“Don't let Emmett take another thing from you.”

Marisol’s shoulders lowered.

“All right.”

Elias nodded.

“Good.”

Marisol wiped her eyes angrily.

“Don't look pleased with yourself.”

“Wouldn't dream of it.”

Giata smiled.

“You two are exhausting.”

For the first time, Marisol laughed.

And Elias did too.

---