Chapter 8 - The Desperate Plea
Two weeks passed.
Derek’s world had completely disintegrated.
He and Evelyn were staying in a cheap two-star motel on the outskirts of town. His credit cards were canceled, his corporate accounts were seized, and his luxury sports car had been repossessed by the dealership after the lease payments bounced.
Savannah had blocked his number completely after discovering that he didn't own a single square foot of the Grandview mansion. His business partners had abandoned him the moment the news broke that Halston Logistics was undergoing a state forensic investigation.
Sitting on a threadbare bed in the motel room, surrounded by takeout boxes, Derek stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. He looked ten years older. His dark suits were wrinkled, his hair unkempt.
"Derek, you have to talk to her!" Evelyn cried, pacing the small room in her worn robe. "Go to her family estate! Beg her! Fall on your knees if you have to!"
"She has a restraining order, Mom!" Derek yelled, rubbing his face in desperation. "If I go near the Vance estate, the deputies will arrest me on the spot!"
"Then write to her! Send an email! Do something before we get thrown out of this motel too!"
Derek opened his laptop. His hands trembled over the keyboard as he drafted an email to Audrey's personal address:
Audrey, Please, I am begging you to read this. I know I made a horrific mistake. I was stupid, blind, and foolish. Savannah meant nothing to me—she was a momentary lapse in judgment caused by stress. I love you and I love our baby girl, Maisie. This punishment is too harsh, Audrey. My business is collapsing, my mother and I are living in a motel, and I have nothing left. Please remember the six years we spent together. Give me one chance to fix this. Let me see my daughter. Yours always, Derek
He hit send.
Ten minutes later, a notification popped up in his inbox. It wasn't from Audrey. It was an automated reply from Vance & Associates Legal Counsel:
May you like
Mr. Halston, Your communication has been flagged and logged as a direct violation of the active Temporary Protective Order issued on October 28. This email has been forwarded to the Henrico County Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, be advised that formal divorce proceedings have been initiated. You are required to appear at the Henrico Family Court on November 15 at 9:00 AM. Do not attempt further contact.
Derek slumped back in his chair, the final thread of hope snapping inside him.
