A whole week had passed.
A week of peace.
A week she felt she could breathe again after everything that had happened.
A week that felt like a lifetime of happiness because she had more or less gotten rid of the shackles that held her down during the past year. It was when everything had started. She remembered the first time her uncle had brought up the marriage.
"He's way older than me uncle. He could even be my grandfather," she winced.
"Your grandfather is dead so if that's how you want to see him then I don't see any problem with it. "His words made her shudder, and she looked at the man who was supposed to protect her with a horrified expression, disappointment making its way to her red teary eyes. He didn't seem to notice or even if he did, he didn't seem to care because to him there was nothing wrong with the arrangement.
"We've done so much for you. This alliance could seal the deal we've been working on for months. I know you won't disappoint us, dear Allie," he said, mirth filling his eyes as he stared his nose down at her. He knew she didn't like it when he called her that. It was full of mockery and disdain. She clenched her hands, trying her best to not cry in front of him. She nodded quietly at him without opening her mouth or even looking at him. At the moment, he disgusted her and if she did look at her, she was going to say some things she would regret.
She was just paying them back for everything they had done for her like he said. She unclenched her hands, smiled at finally looked at the man before her. Not a single affection showed on his face for her and for a second there, just a split second, she almost faltered.
"Good."
Without saying anything more he left the room. It was the first time he had been there in a very long time. The last time was when her parents had died. He had come to comfort her. She should have known that wasn't even care. It was pity, for a girl who had lost her parents at a young age and even that disappeared as the years went by.
Alanna blinked away tears before she realized she had started tearing up. The past was never something she wanted to go back to ever. She received a call. She wasn't expecting any. It was an unknown number too. She contemplated on picking the call or not.
"Hello."
It was a man.
The voice was unrecognizable.
She replied, as wearily as possible.
"Is this miss Ingram?"
Now who was this person that was asking about her.
"Yes, this is she." She realized she had thrown caution to the wind the minute she answered the call so there was really no use stalling.
She also wanted to know what he had to say.
"I'm sorry to bother you at this time of day miss Ingram but there's something important that needed to be conveyed. I did get your number from Mr. Carmichael's emergency contacts so trust that no shady business went down," the man explained.
He didn't sound like a bad person however you never knew these days. And emergency contact? This was the first time she was hearing about it and she didn't exactly know how to feel. She tried not to dwell on it too much.
"It's fine Mr...
"Harrison," he provided. James Harrison. Mr. Carmichael's legal solicitor." He formally introduced himself and it took a while for her to process his words. "So, this is about?" She tried to remain calm because there could only be a number of reasons his lawyer would reach out to her and she hoped it wasn't what she was thinking.
"His will reading tomorrow at his residence. You're supposed to be there miss Ingram."
"I beg your pardon?"
To say she was shocked would be an understatement because where in the world was this possible. If she was to be present at his will reading it meant there was something in his will she needed to hear but why? Just when she thought everything could go back to normal.
She didn't know why she was so entangled with the Carmichael's. It had just been one failed marriage. Was the universe punishing her? For what exactly?
"Hello, miss Ingram, are you there?"
"Uh yes. I'm sorry. This is just very overwhelming right now. Uhm are you sure there's not been a mistake somewhere."
She just hoped this was just an oversight and if she brought his attention to it he would just say it was indeed a miscalculation on his part, and everybody could go their merry way.
"I know this is too much to take in at the moment miss but I assure you that it's not a mistake. I wouldn't do something so unprofessional miss." He sounded like she had accused him of incompetency in his work ethic, and she bit her lip in regret.
"I understand. I'm sorry."
The man couldn't exactly blame her for her reaction. He had heard the rumors going round about her and if people knew she was part of his will well...
"Please be there tomorrow at 9 am. I believe you know his house already. And don't worry, he signed the will himself so whatever it says in his will is what he wanted. Nobody can blame you for anything."
His words were comforting. Reassuring, and she smiled even though he couldn't see it.
He sounded like he had heard the rumors that had been circulating.
He said things that made him feel like family to her in under two minutes and it suddenly didn't feel as scary anymore.
"Thank you Mr. Harrison, I appreciate it." The call ended on that note and Alanna still couldn't believe what had just happened. She replayed the conversation over and over in her head as if it was a prayer.
His children were going to tear her apart.