THE NIGHT ARTHUR THREW HIS WIFE OUT—HE DISCOVERED WHY SHE WAS TERRIFIED OF THE TWO CHILDREN IN HIS HOUSE

The heavy wooden door was perfectly polished, smelling faintly of lemon oil and new varnish.

Maya stood in the hallway, holding a small cardboard box of office supplies, staring at the frosted glass.

Printed in bold, elegant gold lettering across the glass were the words:

MAYA BENNETT

SENIOR LEGAL COUNSEL

Arthur walked up behind her, holding two cups of coffee.

“Do you like the font?” Arthur asked, handing her a cup. “Ethan spent three days agonizing over whether to use serif or sans-serif.”

“It’s perfect,” Maya whispered, reaching out to trace the letters of her name.

For the past year, she had been working at a small desk in the bullpen of the foundation’s legal clinic.

But with her recent string of high-profile victories against predatory landlords, the foundation’s board had voted unanimously to promote her to Senior Counsel.

Arthur reached into his pocket and pulled out a heavy, brass key.

He held it out to her.

“This is your office now, Maya. You earned every single inch of it.”

Maya took the key, feeling the cold metal in her palm.

She unlocked the door and pushed it open.

The office was beautiful. Wide windows overlooked the city park, and a massive mahogany desk sat in the center of the room.

But it wasn't the furniture that made her stop.

It was the framed document hanging on the wall behind the desk.

It was the official court order from years ago. The adoption papers declaring her and Ethan legally, permanently, Arthur’s children.

Arthur walked in and stood beside her.

“I thought you might want a reminder of why you fight so hard for the families that come through our doors,” Arthur said softly.

Maya turned and hugged him tightly, burying her face in his shoulder.

“You saved my life, Dad.”

“No, Maya,” Arthur smiled, kissing her forehead. “You and Ethan saved mine. Now, sit down at your desk. You have a meeting with a client in ten minutes.”