Chapter 3
Robert threw me under the bus to protect Erin without a second thought.
I couldn't hold back anymore. I grabbed Agatha and pulled her out of the office.
I said, "Ms. Brewster, there's something more important I need to tell you right now."
I walked her out of the law firm and said seriously, "Ms. Brewster, you need to go back right now and take your daughter to a place only you know about."
At the mention of her daughter, her face tightened with worry. "But didn't you say before..."
I explained, "I was the one who suggested that address, but now I'm starting to suspect it's been compromised.
"Just in case, move her immediately and don't tell a soul."
After a brief pause, Agatha nodded solemnly. "You're right."
She patted my shoulder gratefully. "Don't worry. Once the divorce is settled, I'll make sure you get a big reward."
After seeing Agatha off, I didn't return to the law firm. I went straight home.
On the way home, Robert wouldn't stop blowing up my phone with calls and texts.
I didn't even have to look. It could only be more blame and abuse from him.
I burst into the house, grabbed my mom, and dragged her along with me.
"Mom, come with me. There's something you absolutely need to know," I said.
She looked a little lost, but stayed close behind me.
We pulled up outside a restaurant, and I had Mom sit in the car with me while we waited.
Mom frowned, clearly puzzled. "What are we waiting for, exactly?"
Right as she finished speaking, Dad walked into the restaurant, his arm wrapped tightly around the waist of some woman I'd never seen before.
Erin was bouncing along behind them, full of energy.
Mom's expression changed in a heartbeat.
Not long after, I scrolled past a post on social media, just like the one I saw in my last life.
Erin was the one who posted it.
A strange woman was snuggled up to Dad, both of them grinning like lovebirds.
The caption read: [Congrats, Mom, on finding your new man! Life's beautiful again, and I'm feeling amazing.]
I handed my phone to Mom, keeping my voice steady. "Dad's having an affair."
I'd known about this in my previous life, but never got the chance to expose it.
I was stunned for ages at that time, and finally figured out why Robert had dumped a brainless intern on me.
No matter how many times I asked to fire Erin, all I got was even harsher criticism from Robert.
After I died, Mom was so shattered she couldn't stop crying day after day.
Robert took advantage of her grief, moved all the assets, and threw Mom out with nothing left to her name.
Thank God, this time, I still had a shot to fix everything.
Once Mom had settled down, I asked, "Mom, would you be willing to hand over your stake in the firm to me?"
*****
Once the lunch break was over, I made my way back to the law firm.
Robert was lounging in my office chair, arms folded across his chest.
"I figured you were done for good. So you actually came back?" he sneered.
I smiled. "Of course."
If I walked away, who'd be left to run this firm as director?
Robert snorted. "If you're so capable, Laura, why don't you go talk Ms. Brewster out of making a scene with this divorce?
"Erin's just a kid, way too innocent to be dealing with something like this."
"Then fire Erin," I snapped.
I locked eyes with Robert, giving him a steely glare. "Agatha is my client, and I'll do everything I can to protect her interests."
Even though I died because of her in my previous life, as a lawyer, standing up for my client is my job.
"All Agatha wants is for her cheating husband to leave with nothing. Honestly, that's totally fair," I said. "Anyone who betrays their marriage deserves what's coming to them."
I stared straight at Robert, speaking each word slowly and clearly so he couldn't miss a thing.
"Or do you have something else to say, Mr. Broderick?" I pressed, my tone sharp.
Robert coughed lightly, refusing to meet my eyes.
He clearly felt guilty.
Just as I was about to press him further, Erin stormed in.
She stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at me like she was ready to go to war.
Erin snapped, "How can you be so rude to Mr. Broderick? I'm putting you on trial for everyone.
"And don't forget you didn't stick up for me this morning. That's strike two for you today.
"You need to apologize to me and Mr. Broderick right now."
I couldn't help but laugh. "Is your brain finally working? What nonsense are you saying?"
"You..." Erin pointed at me, completely lost for words.
Her eyes went red, on the verge of tears. "Mr. Broderick, look at her!" she shouted.
Robert's face went cold, and he banged his hand hard on the desk.
Just then, Agatha knocked on the door, grinning playfully. "Did I come at a bad time?"
Robert stood up, putting on a calm face.