Chapter 6 - THE LEGAL AMBUSH
The next three days were a blur of architectural blueprints, late-night strategy sessions, and copious amounts of coffee. Marisol transformed the library into a war room, papers strewn across the antique desks, red markers highlighting structural deficiencies.
While she worked, Fiona made her next move. A process server ambushed Marisol at the estate gates when she tried to take Celia for a walk. It was a lawsuit. The Greers were suing Marisol for "intentional infliction of emotional distress" and "defamation," an entirely frivolous suit designed solely to drain her nonexistent bank accounts and force a settlement where she would have to leave Daniel.
Daniel found Marisol staring at the legal papers in the hallway, shaking.
"I can't fight this, Daniel," she whispered, a tear slipping down her cheek. "I don't have the money for lawyers. They're going to drag me through court for years. They'll ruin my life."
Daniel gently took the papers from her hands and ripped them in half. Then he ripped them again. He pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her hair. "They aren't suing you, Marisol. Because by the end of the week, you aren't going to be Marisol Vega, the housekeeper."
She pulled back, confused. "What?"
"I wanted to do this right. With a ring, and a dinner, and a knee," Daniel said, his voice thick with emotion. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a simple, flawless diamond band. "But we are in a war, and I need you behind my shields. Marry me, Marisol. Today. Marry me, and you become my legal wife. What's mine is yours. My lawyers, my money, my protection. Let them try to sue the wife of Daniel Ashworth."
Marisol looked at the ring, then at his eyes. "You're asking me to marry you as a legal maneuver?"
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"I'm asking you to marry me because I've loved you since the night you handed me a napkin in Washington Heights," Daniel corrected softly. "The legal maneuver is just a bonus."
"Yes," Marisol said, pulling him down for a kiss that tasted like tears and absolute certainty. "Yes."
