Back at home, I sat at the kitchen table, my laptop open, documents spread around me. I scanned each page, looking for anything I might have missed. The figures were there, stark and unyielding, highlighted in the same neat script that lined the rest of the pages.
I emailed the documents to Sarah, attaching a note that summarized our earlier conversation. « Anything you can find would be a huge help, » I wrote, hitting send with a mix of hope and trepidation.
While waiting for her response, I contemplated my next move. Consulting another lawyer would mean additional costs, something I wasn’t sure I could afford. But doing nothing would mean accepting the charges as they were, and I wasn’t ready for that.
The hours dragged on with no word from Sarah. I paced the small living room, checking my phone every few minutes. When a notification finally pinged, I nearly dropped the device in my haste to open it.
« There might be something, » Sarah’s message began, « but I’m going to need a bit more time to be sure. »
Relief and anxiety mingled in equal measure. It was a start, a possible path through the tangled mess I had found myself in. I replied quickly, thanking her profusely and offering to meet whenever she was free.
As the day turned to evening, I tried to distract myself with mundane tasks—washing dishes, tidying up, anything to keep my mind occupied. But the numbers from the lawyer’s office continued to dance in my head, a haunting reminder of the unresolved issues that awaited.
When the phone rang later that evening, I almost didn’t answer, my nerves frayed from the day’s events. But seeing Sarah’s name on the screen forced my hand.
« Hey, I’ve found something, » she said, her voice tinged with excitement. « It might not solve everything, but it’s a start. »
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