Grant looked exasperated. “Alright, enough. Stop making a scene and come home with me.”
Shawn stepped out of the restroom, totally confused. “What’s going on? Mom, what happened to your face?”
“It was that bitch Allison! She hit me!” Cindy snapped.
Grant’s face darkened. “Shawn, get your mom out of here. She’s embarrassing herself.”
Shawn frowned, turning to his dad. “What happened?”
“Your mom started it,” Grant said, his voice flat. “She rushed at Allison and tried to hit her, but Allison defended herself. That’s why she got slapped. Enough already—let’s just go home.”
“Mom, I know you’re upset about the court ruling, but you can’t just go around hitting people.” There was disappointment in Shawn’s eyes. “Allison’s just Dad’s lawyer. She’s doing her job. It’s not fair to take it out on her.”
“Oh, so now you’re taking that woman’s side?” Cindy’s eyes were red, her voice trembling. “I’m your mother! And you’re defending her? Do I even matter to you anymore?”
That was the last straw for Shawn.
“Do you really think I don’t care about you? Honestly, if I hadn’t always listened to you, I wouldn’t have messed things up with Kate, or hurt Allison the way I did.”
“So now you’re blaming all that on me?” Cindy shot back, her anger flaring.
Shawn let out a cold laugh. “Like I’d dare blame you, right?”
“Enough, both of you,” Grant interrupted, already heading for the curb. “The car’s here. Let’s go home.”
…
Back at the law firm.
Tony at the front desk flashed Allison a bright smile. “Hey, Allison! Ms. Witt is waiting for you in your office.”
Allison paused. “Ms. Witt? She’s here?”
“Ms. Witt, this is way too much. I can’t accept it.”
Allison had recognized the logo on the box. Custom pieces from this brand started in the millions. Just that pink diamond alone had to be worth a fortune.
Her own family had plenty of expensive jewelry, but this was different. She could buy herself anything she wanted, no matter the price—but accepting something so extravagant from someone else just felt wrong.
Carolyn just smiled. “Come on, just take it. You saved my life, Allison. That’s worth way more than a necklace. Compared to that, this is nothing.”
Allison shook her head. “I really can’t accept it.”
Carolyn pouted. “What, is my life not even worth a necklace to you?”
Allison laughed helplessly. “You know that’s not what I mean.”
“Then take it,” Carolyn insisted, pushing the box a little closer.

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