Page 140 of A Very Merry Mistake

I squeeze him just a little tighter. “I don’t think I would’ve been able to do this without you.”

“Do what, exactly?”

“Live my life. I’ve been a human robot for too long, even down to my clothes. But I’ve got to go. I’m supposed to be there by eight. I’m his first appointment, and I want to get this over with.” I grab a pair of slacks and a sweater, along with some of my favorite flats. Then I slide the clothes over my body as he watches.

“You sure you don’t want me to join you?”

“Nah, some things I have to do alone. I’m happy to leave all this in the past and start the new year without the worry of what my father is going to do.”

He grins. “Have faith.”

I open my mouth, and he presses his finger against my lips. “Having faith means letting what will happen happen.”

* * *

Instead of being driven to my lawyer’s office, I choose to walk. The building is one block away from Manchester Holdings. As I step onto the busy street, I place my hands in my pockets. More people are in the city because of the New Year’s Eve celebration tonight. This used to be one of my favorite times because of the excitement that fills nearly every block by my penthouse. Tourists come from all over the world to see that glittering ball fall from the sky, hoping the new year will deliver luck and prosperity.

I love a new beginning, but usually with that comes a chapter closing.

The frigid air brushes against my cheeks, and I keep my head down. Within fifteen minutes, I’m entering the building, taking the elevator to the forty-third floor, and strutting down the hallway. Nelson’s secretary greets me and asks me to sit, but I kindly tell her I’d prefer to stand.

In two minutes flat, Nelson gives me a firm handshake. He looks me over from head to toe but doesn’t say shit. I think he knows better. Neither of us makes small talk as we walk down the hallway toward his office. The door clicks closed behind us, and I sit in front of his oak desk, a seat I’ve often occupied.

Corporate Claire activates; it’s a version of me that no one likes. She’s all business and doesn’t care about pleasantries. Right now, I just want this to be over.

“Can we please get to it?” I finally say.

“Right,” he tells me, pulling out a file folder and sliding it across the desk. “Your father sent this documentation and would like your signature as soon as possible.”

I don’t look down at the papers but stare at him. “And you’d advise me to sign this?”

He laughs, and I furrow my brows. “Claire, he’s giving you the rest of your inheritance that your mother left for you.”

“What? What are you talking about?” My voice doesn’t sound like my own.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t tell you over the phone due to confidentiality. All business regarding this has to be done in person to protect the agreement’s integrity.”

I shake my head. “Explain.”

“When you turned eighteen, you were given some of it. Your mother wanted you to have the rest when you married, unless your father released it to you earlier.”

“Why would he do this?”

Nelson shrugs. “I’m honestly not sure. I didn’t get the details of the whys or hows, just that this was being done now. He’s already signed everything to turn it over. We’re just waiting on your signature.”

He hands me a pen, and I hold it tight as I read over every word in the document. Then, when I get to the end of the page, I see a five with nine zeros behind it. “This can’t be correct.”

“It is,” he tells me. “Congratulations. Ms. Claire Manchester, the billionaire.”

My jaw nearly hits the floor as I sign my name across the dotted line on the bottom. There is no more the daughter of a billionaire after someone says my name. And I’m speechless. I already had more money than I knew what to do with, and I was worried my father had found a way to take it from me and leave me with nothing.

I never expected this and almost feel guilty for making him out to be the villain.

“You might want to contact your financial adviser when you leave,” Nelson suggests, handing over the original copies and keeping the others I signed. “So how will you celebrate?” he asks.

“By opening a business.” I stand up and realize I’m smiling.

“Really? Hotels and resorts, like your father?”

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