Two days after the fight and reconciliation.
Emma and Marcus's relationship had become stronger after they worked through their first conflict. Their communication was more open. They understood more about each other's patterns and vulnerabilities.
But something unexpected came to test their relationship again.
Friday afternoon, 4 PM.
Marcus was in the office when his phone rang. Marcus checked the caller ID. It was Mr. Thomas, his lawyer.
Marcus immediately answered. Marcus walked to a private corner of the office to talk with privacy.
"Mr. Thomas, hello," said Marcus. "How are you?"
"Marcus, we have a situation," said Mr. Thomas with a serious tone. "Daniel filed a motion for an emergency hearing. He requested the court to postpone distribution of assets until the case is finished. He claimed that there is new evidence that questions the validity of the will."
Marcus felt cold. "New evidence? What evidence?"
"We don't know yet," answered Mr. Thomas. "But Daniel's lawyer has already submitted something to the court. We will get the details within a few days. But Marcus, this is a serious situation. We need to prepare."
"How serious?" asked Marcus carefully.
"It could delay everything for months," answered Mr. Thomas. "Maybe years. Daniel has already hired an expensive lawyer. He apparently has invested significant money into this case. He is serious about pursuing this."
Marcus felt tension in his shoulders. Marcus started walking, pacing while thinking.
"Okay," said Marcus with a controlled voice. "What do we need to do?"
"First, we need to examine the new evidence that Daniel submitted," answered Mr. Thomas. "Second, we need to prepare counter-argument. Third, we need to make sure that your financial situation is stable enough to handle a prolonged legal battle."
"Financial situation?" asked Marcus.
"Yes, litigation can be very expensive," answered Mr. Thomas. "Lawyer fees, court fees, expert witnesses, everything can add up very quickly. We discussed this before, but I want to make sure you understand that this could drain significant resources."
After the call with Mr. Thomas was finished, Marcus sat in his office with a completely overwhelmed feeling.
Legal battle. Expensive. Prolonged. Everything that Marcus didn't want to deal with right now.
Marcus thought about Emma. Marcus thought about Lily. Marcus thought about all the stability that they had already built.
Marcus decided to go home early. Marcus needed to talk with Emma about this. Emma was his partner. Emma deserved to know.
Emma was already home when Marcus arrived. Emma was helping Lily with physical therapy exercises that the doctor recommended.
"Hi," greeted Emma with a smile as Marcus entered. But Emma's smile quickly faded when Emma saw Marcus's expression. "What's wrong? You look upset."
"Can we talk?" asked Marcus. "After you finish with Lily?"
"Of course," answered Emma with immediate concern.
Thirty minutes later, after Lily had settled with a movie in the living room, Marcus and Emma went to the balcony to talk privately.
Marcus told Emma everything. About Daniel's new motion. About new evidence. About the possibility of prolonged litigation. About expensive legal fees.
Emma listened completely silently, not interrupting.
"So basically," said Marcus after finishing his explanation, "everything that we have is uncertain again. The inheritance, the business, everything could be contested for months or years."
"Marcus," said Emma with a calm voice, "how much money have you already paid for Lily's surgery?"
"37,500 dollars have already been paid," answered Marcus. "And that is already secure. The hospital has already accepted the payment and Lily's surgery is already confirmed."
"Good," said Emma. "So that is already safe. That is already guaranteed. Lily already got what she needed."
"Yeah," said Marcus. "But what about everything else? What if we lose this case? What if Daniel somehow convinces the court that this will is invalid?"
"Then we deal with it," answered Emma with firmness. "We figure it out. But Marcus, look at what we have already accomplished in the last few weeks."
Emma took Marcus's hand.
"We have already taken care of Lily's medical needs," continued Emma. "We have already built a relationship that is genuine and strong. We have already learned to communicate properly. We have already become a real team."
"But Emma, this situation could take years—" started Marcus.
"I know," interrupted Emma gently. "But Marcus, think about it. A few months ago, you only focused on business. Only focused on money and power. And now? Now you have me. Now you have Lily. Now you have something that is much more valuable than any inheritance."
Marcus listened to Emma's words.
"I'm not saying that money doesn't matter," continued Emma. "Money is important. We need money to survive. But Marcus, if we lost everything financially, but we still have each other? That is enough. That is more than enough."
Marcus felt something warm in his chest. Emma was not panicking. Emma was not stressing about the possibility of losing everything. Emma just focused on what truly mattered.
"You know what?" said Marcus. "You're right. I have completely overthought this. I have fallen back into old patterns of thinking only about the worst case scenario."
"Exactly," said Emma with a smile. "So here's what we do. We prepare for the legal battle. We work with Mr. Thomas to build a strong case. But we don't worry before we actually know what we're dealing with. Worrying before facts is equal to suffering twice."
Monday morning, the following morning after Emma and Marcus's talk.
Marcus got an unexpected visitor in his office.
Daniel arrived without an appointment. Daniel walked into the office with a confident stride and a cold expression.
"Marcus, we need to talk," said Daniel while entering the office without knocking.
Emma was already in the office too as part of her new role as a strategic advisor. Emma immediately stood up.
"Daniel," greeted Marcus with controlled politeness. "This is unexpected. What brings you here?"
"I want to make an offer," said Daniel while sitting in a chair without being asked. "I think we have already wasted too much time and resources with this legal battle. I want to propose a settlement."
"Settlement?" asked Marcus with raised eyebrow. "Explain."
"Simple," answered Daniel. "You release 20% of the company stake to me. In exchange, I withdraw the lawsuit. Everybody is happy. Business continues. No more legal drama."
Emma felt anger rising inside her. Emma looked at Marcus to see his reaction.
Marcus stayed completely calm. Marcus leaned back in his chair.
"You know what I find interesting?" said Marcus with a slow voice. "You claim that father was not mentally sound when making the will. But somehow, you are willing to settle with just 20%? Why not push for a 50-50 split if you truly believe the will is invalid?"
Daniel's face turned red slightly. Daniel didn't expect Marcus to question his logic.
"Because," answered Daniel with a defensive tone, "I have also considered that the case might not win completely. Settlement is a good compromise."
"Or," said Marcus with a cold voice that was familiar, "maybe you have already realized that your case is weak. Maybe you have already realized that the new evidence that you claimed is not actually as strong as you think. Maybe this settlement is a desperate attempt to get something before the case collapses completely."
Daniel stood up abruptly. Daniel faced Marcus with anger.
"You think you are very smart, Marcus. But let me tell you something. This company should already be mine. I have worked with father for many years. But father always preferred you. Even though you don't deserve it."
"Maybe father chose me," answered Marcus with a steady voice, "because I have worked hard to build something from nothing. Maybe father recognized that I am capable of running the company with integrity. And maybe," Marcus paused, "father chose me because deep down, I reminded him of the best part of himself."
Daniel's face changed. There was something in Daniel's eyes that showed real pain. Real pain. Beneath all the anger and jealousy.
"This is not about the company," continued Marcus with a slightly gentler tone. "This is about the feeling that father never appreciated you enough. This is about an old wound. And I understand that. But hurting me will not heal that wound."
Emma felt surprised by Marcus's sudden compassion.
Daniel looked away. Daniel struggled with emotions that were visible on his face.
"Tell you what," said Marcus. "I will not give you 20% of the company. But I offer you something else. I offer you a position as an advisor for the company. A real position. With a real salary. You could work with us. You could be part of the success of this company."
"Why would you offer me that?" asked Daniel with skepticism.
"Because," answered Marcus, "you're family. And despite everything, I still care about you. And maybe working together could heal some of the damage that has happened between us."
Daniel stood there in silence. Daniel looked conflicted. Conflicted between anger and perhaps an unexpected offer of compassion.
"I'll think about it," said Daniel finally. "But regarding the lawsuit, I still will pursue it unless you seriously consider settlement."
"Then pursue it," answered Marcus. "Because I am confident that the truth will prevail. And I have people that I trust beside me to face whatever comes next."
Daniel left the office. Daniel didn't say goodbye. Daniel just left with a complicated expression.
After Daniel left, Emma immediately walked to Marcus and hugged him.
"That was incredible," said Emma. "The compassion that you showed toward Daniel, even though he was treating you like an enemy. That was so mature and so kind."
"I learned from someone who is very wise," answered Marcus while hugging Emma back. "Someone who taught me that real strength is not about winning. Real strength is about understanding. About compassion. About choosing kindness even when you could choose anger."
"I'm proud of you," said Emma. "Not just because you handled the situation well. But because you showed growth. You showed that you truly changed from the person that you used to be."
"I couldn't do it without you," answered Marcus. "Before you, I thought that everyone was an enemy. Everyone was trying to take something from me. You taught me that some people are just hurt. Some people just need understanding. Some people just need to know that someone cares."
They stood in the office balcony, overlooking the city that was busy with afternoon traffic.
The legal battle might continue. Uncertainty might remain. But Marcus and Emma had learned that they could face anything together. They had learned that real security was not in financial assets. Real security was in trust. In connection. In knowing that someone had your back no matter what.