The Card
1224 Words
The house was quiet.
Too quiet.
Then the scent of his cologne reached her and she lifted her gaze, watching him descend the stairs.
He turned toward her as well, his eyes settling on her with a look of pity.
“Don’t stay up waiting. And start packing, you won’t be here much longer.”
He said it, cruel and cold, then walked out, sliding his sunglasses back into place.
Holly remained on the edge of the couch long after the sound of Drake’s footsteps disappeared.
Her hands were still shaking, her breathing uneven. She kept telling herself she was fine, that she wouldn’t let him destroy her a second time.
But telling herself didn’t quiet the panic.
She needed someone to talk to, but not Uriel. Uriel would only judge her even more.
She needed that card.
The black business card the stranger had pressed into her hand outside the office.
The card for Caleb Morgan. Attorney at Law.
She’d clung to it like a lifeline, certain that when the time came, she’d know exactly what to do.
Now, she had no idea where she’d put it.
“Think, Holly, think,”
She muttered, patting her pockets, checking the lining of her blazer, emptying the contents of her bag onto the floor and scattering everything around just to find a single piece of paper.
Lipstick. Keys. Phone. Receipts.
No card.
Her heart began to race faster. Stupid. Stupid of her to misplace it. If she couldn’t even keep up with one small card, how was she supposed to fight Drake? How was she supposed to fight for her company, for her life?
Frustrated, she screamed, rubbing her palms together as she kept tossing the couch cushions around.
She dropped to her knees, sweeping her hand beneath the coffee table, then under the couch. Dust and crumbs, but still no card.
“Where are you? Please, where are you?”
She whispered, more to herself than to anyone else.
She moved to the armchairs next, lifting each one carefully, looking underneath. Her hair fell forward, clinging to her damp forehead, and she tossed it back as if she didn’t want it there anymore.
Her chest tightened.
What if she’d dropped it outside? What if it had slipped out in the car? What if Drake had found it and thrown it away?
The thought made her stomach churn.
Then, under the third chair, wedged between the leg and the rug, she caught a flash of black.
She rushed forward, her knees scraping against the floor painfully as she grabbed it so quickly her nails scraped the wood too.
She wiped it against her dress and sat back, relieved.
“Caleb Morgan. Attorney at Law.”
“Oh God, thank you!”
She said, pressing the card to her chest as relief washed over her so strongly she almost laughed.
Her hands shook as she crawled back toward the scattered items on the floor, but she picked up her phone from the chair above them instead.
Breathing heavily, her fingers trembled as she dialed the number before she could change her mind.
It rang once—twice. Then someone on the other end answered.
“Hello, this is Legit Law firm. How may we be of help to you?”
A woman answered, her voice calm, though she seemed to notice the person on the line was either crying or breathing shakily.
“Hello? Ma’am?” She said as Holly exhaled deeply before speaking.
She sniffed,
“I’m sorry, but um…”
She swallowed hard, unsure whether to speak or not.
Then she continued.
“Could you put me through to Caleb… um, hold on.”
She picked up the card, her eyes fixed on it.
“Could you put me through to one Caleb…”
“Morgan? Ma’am, do you mean Attorney Caleb Morgan?”
The woman asked, her voice calm but attentive as Holand nodded, as if the woman could see her.
“Yes please, Caleb Morgan.” She said. “Sure ma’am. I can see this is important, and thankfully he’s free, so I’m putting you through immediately.”
“Thank you,” Holand said. “You’re welcome, ma’am.” The woman replied politely as she transferred the call to Caleb.
“Sir, a lady wants to speak with you.” She said, but he frowned. “Did you get her name?”
Then it hit her. Holly was too distressed so distracted the woman, and she’d forgotten to ask for her name.
She bit her finger nervously.
“I’m sorry, sir, but I got distracted because of how distressed she sounded. I think she really needs help, sir.”
Caleb sighed, gently setting his pen down on the desk.
“Connect the call.”
He ordered calmly.
“Yes sir,” The woman responded and put Holly through.
“You have been connected to Attorney Caleb Morgan.”
Holly heard the automated voice say and cleared her throat.
Holly swallowed, sitting back on her heels as she sniffled.
“Hi. Um, I’m sorry to disturb you, but um…
You… you gave me this card yesterday. I wasn’t sure I’d need it, but um…”
“Mrs. Dean?”
Caleb immediately recognized her voice and sat up.
Shocked, she managed a small smile and sniffed.
“How did you know…”
“Forget about that. Do you really need my help? Are you ready to talk now?”
She stayed quiet for a moment, then nodded.
“Now I do.” Her voice cracked.
“It’s a lot to explain over the phone, but um… the beginning is that… My husband fired me from my own company.”
There was a pause on the other end. Then, “I’m sorry to hear that, Mrs. Dean.”
“Can you help me?”
She cut in quickly, afraid he’d say no.
“Please. He’s trying to take everything I’ve ever worked for, and I don’t know where else to go.”
Another pause. Then softer, he asked,
“Where are you right now?”
“At home. At my house. For now, at least.”
“Good. Stay there.”
He said it firmly, leaving no room for argument. “I’ll come by tonight. We’ll talk, go over everything, and figure out your next move. Don’t confront him again until I get there. Understand?”
Holly exhaled, clutching the card like it was the only thing keeping her grounded.
“No! Not here, what if he comes back tonight? I have a place in mind where we can meet and talk. Could you take my number so you can text me, and I’ll send you the address?”
She asked politely, and he nodded. “I’ll do that. Tonight. I’ll be there around eight.”
“Thank you,”
She said calmly. Then the line went dead.
She stared at the phone for a long moment, the tension in her shoulders easing just slightly.
For the first time since the lobby doors closed behind her, she didn’t feel completely alone.
She got to her feet, wiped the dust off her knees, and whispered to the empty room:
“Hold on, Holly. Help’s coming.”
The front door creaked.
Holly froze.
Her breath caught as heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway.
Drake was back home.
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