Chapter 7 Stipend for Single Mothers
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“Tess, marriage isn’t a game,” Bessie said gently. “Why don’t you talk to your man again? Layla’s still young. She can’t grow up without a father.”
Tess had already made up her mind. She asked, “Bessie, the Aetheris Courthouse … That’s nearby, isn’t it?”
Bessie paused, then pointed. “Just a couple of blocks down. It’s really close. But Tess, are you sure about this?
“Maybe talk it over with your husband one more time?”
Tess pressed her lips together.
“What’s the matter? He doesn’t want the divorce? Then, there’s still a chance-”
Tess shook her head.
She wanted to keep him in the dark.
“He doesn’t know about it. But this time, I’m done asking for his permission.”
Finn, you threw me into prison. All I want is to raise my daughter and get a divorce.
She figured Finn had long grown tired of their hollow marriage anyway. Maybe he’d even been waiting for this moment so that he could finally give Nadine the title she’d always wanted.
“But if he doesn’t know, can you file the divorce?” Bessie asked, startled.
Tess lowered her eyes, a shadow cast across her face.
“I had aiready drafted the divorce agreement. He should’ve signed it back then.”
That night, he was drunk. Tess had slipped the agreement in with a stack of work documents, hoping he’d sign it without noticing.
He began signing, but he suddenly gripped her wrist.
That night, he was extremely drunk, and his strength was overwhelming. She couldn’t break free and ended up being pulled into his arms.
The papers were scattered across the floor. He breathed next to her ear, hot and burning.
“Tess, didn’t you want to tie me down for life?” he murmured. “If so, I will grant your wish.”
She realized what was about to happen.
Desperately, she tried to run, but his tall frame pinned her easily. In a few swift movements, he had pulled off her dress.
Underneath him, she sobbed, her pleas broken and weak.
“Finn, I don’t want this.*
That night, he did everything lovers did–without a shred of love.
He had probably never even considered sleeping with her before that night.
But why–why did it have to happen the moment she was ready to walk away?
She often wondered if he had been punishing her or if he really was just drunk.
But it didn’t matter anymore.
A few days ago, she went to retrieve her documents. But she hadn’t just grabbed those things.
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Chapter 7 Stipend for Single Mothers
She had also taken the divorce agreement that had been signed by him.
Tess always stored her documents carefully. The day she was taken away, she had just happened to file them away.
Eighteen months had passed, and no one had ever touched it.
Probably not even him. He likely never cared to look at her things after she was gone.
That was how she managed to get this far.
Still, he’d need to sign it again to make it final.
Bessie didn’t understand the full story. When Tess turned quiet, she let the topic drop.
She just sighed. “Poor Layla, growing up without a dad.”
Layla, nestled in Tess’s arms, reached for her baby rattle. She looked at it, then turned to gaze up at Tess.
Tess coaxed, “It’s okay, sweetheart. Mommy’s here.”
Meanwhile, in the heart of downtown Aetheris, on the top floor of a gleaming skyscraper.
Inside a sleek office, Finn sat behind a desk, signing document after document.
He was exhausted. After signing the last of the documents, Finn rubbed his temples, weariness etched into his face.
Zane stood silently nearby. Once everything was in order, he stacked the files neatly and handed them off to an assistant to process.
Then, glancing at the man seated behind the desk whose eyes were half–closed in a light doze, Zane said, “Mr. Lock, the donation for the street sanitation workers near the downtown district has been taken care of, just as you instructed.
“The supplies should already be in their hands by now.
“And, per your request, the single mother working as a street cleaner will be receiving a monthly stipend of 1,000 dollars, withdrawn from your personal account with no time limit. Everything has been arranged.
“We’re also tracking Mrs. Lock’s movements since her release. I expect we’ll have news soon.
“is there anything else you’d like me to handle?”
Finn didn’t speak. He simply waved his hand, his eyes still fixed on the new stack of paperwork in front of him. Zane gave a respectful hod and turned to leave.
He didn’t notice the elegant woman emerging from behind the outer office door the moment he stepped out. Nadine had shown up at just the right time, and she’d heard every word of that last conversation.
With her arms crossed, she scoffed under her breath.
“All that just because she got a little water splashed on her? Finn’s dipping into his personal account now?
“A thousand dollars a month? Seriously? What makes her so special? Was she just waiting there, wanting to play the pity card like some con artist?”
She didn’t even have that privilege, so how could a street cleaner possibly deserve it?
As Nadine contemplated this, something dark flickered behind her calm gaze. A moment later, she picked up her phone, stepped aside, and quietly made a call.
The call connected quickly. Nadine’s eyes were soft but laced with venom.
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Chapter 7 Stipend for Single Mothers
“Paul, I need a favor.
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“There’s a female cleaner. This morning, she staged a little stunt and accidentally crossed paths with Finn’s car. Of course, Finn, being who he is, didn’t make a fuss. He even sent some money her way.
“You know how it is–Finn is a man of class. He wouldn’t waste his time on petty people who pull cheap tricks. But I can’t stand it. So, I figured I’d do the world a favor and teach her a lesson myself. Just don’t let Finn find out. He doesn’t need to be bothered with something this small.
“How? She’s got a kid, right? Then start by docking her pay. Let her go hungry for a few days. That’ll set her straight.
“And if she tries anything else, fire her. Let her freeze out there on the streets with her bastard child.”
With that, she ended the call. The icy look on Nadine’s lovely face melted away in an instant.
Tossing her hair, she walked toward Finn’s office.
She knocked on the door.
“Finn, it’s me.”
“Come in.” His voice was as smooth and cool as always.
Nadine pushed open the door with a sweet smile. As her eyes fell on the striking figure inside, a subtle grin tugged at her lips. A quiet gleam of triumph lit up her expression.
No matter who it was–Tess or that cleaner–no woman would ever steal even a sliver of perks from Finn.
Finn belonged to her. And she wasn’t about to let anyone steal his attention.
The clouds finally cleared, and golden sunlight spilled across the streets.
That afternoon, Riven Ash, the district supervisor, called all the street cleaners together for a meeting.
Several trucks rumbled in and parked along the alley.
Workers jumped down and began unloading large boxes.
Before long, the old, cramped yard was stacked with piles of supplies.
Among the rows of workers standing in line, a few middle–aged women leaned in, whispering excitedly.
“I overheard Mr. Ash earlier. Apparently, some rich guy drove by our district this morning and suddenly decided to do a good deed. He donated all this stuff–charity or something.”
“With the weather getting colder, he sent blankets and heavy–duty winter coats. Real good ones too.”
“He must be a saint! My grandson’s been needing a winter jacket for school.”
“Looks like some of these are even branded. I bet I could sell mine secondhand for a decent price.”
“But seriously, who just donates things out of the blue? What’s his name? He didn’t do something bad and wishes to make up for it, did he?”
“I think the supervisor said his last name was Lock or something close.”
Tess, listening quietly to the chatter, couldn’t help but stiffen slightly.
Bessie, standing right beside her, gave her a puzzled look. “Where’s Layla?”
She’s sleeping. It’s cold out, so I tucked her under the covers,” Tess replied.
Still, despite what she said, she kept glancing back toward the dorm, checking for any sign of Layla crying. Only when she was sure Layla was still sound asleep did she breathe a little easier.
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Chapter 7 Stipend for Single Mothers
She lowered her head in thought. Did I hear that right? Did they say Lock?
Lock is rare. Locke is more common.
It has to be a coincidence.
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Bessie didn’t notice Tess spacing out. She gave her a nudge with her elbow when they reached the front of the line.
“Tess, heads up. Mr. Ash has been staring at you for a while. It doesn’t usually mean anything good.”
Tess looked up and caught the bulky supervisor with the flashy gold chain glancing away too quickly.
Her stomach tightened.
When the supplies were handed out, Bessie picked something from the stack and passed it to Tess.
“My son just sent me a new coat. You should take this one,” she said.
Tess was startled and hurriedly waved her hand. “Bessie, I can’t possibly-”
“Don’t argue. It’s not for you; it’s for Layla! Cut it down into something that fits her. She needs it more than I do.”
Tess froze, still trying to think of something to say.
But Bessie was already walking off. “I’ll leave it on your bed. Once you finish here, come on up. If Layla wakes and doesn’t see you, she’ll cry.”
Tess watched her go, feeling an unexpected warmth stir in her chest.
They’d only met, but Bessie already felt more like family than most people ever had.
Everyone else had collected their share and gone. Tess was just about to grab
“Hey, Tess Ember. Hold up.”
hers
rs when a voice called out behind her.
