I looked over the papers. He was giving me all the money I needed for my family. A sob burst free from my chest, upset at him and his ways. Maybe I was at fault, maybe pushing him away and leaving him in the outreaches of my life wasn’t the best decision.
Attempting to control my subsiding sobs, a flicker of anger lit. Anger and frustration I could deal with. They were easier to handle than a broken heart. I wanted Daimon to know just how much he just hurt me. I yanked at my coat ready to go over there and give him a piece of my mind. I had just walked over the threshold of my doorway when my phone rang.
“Yes?”
“Hello, is this Addie Sakis?” He sounded like an elderly gentleman.
“Yes,” I answered.
“The one who owned Astoria’s Deli?” he asked.
“Yes. Who is this?”
“My name is Henry Towns, and if you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to speak to you on behalf of Ms. Dupont.”
“Who’s Ms. Dupont?” I asked, wary of the man on the other end of the phone.
“Ms. Silvia Dupont.”
“The crazy little lady that came to my diner every day?” I wondered.
“Yes, she was quite eccentric. If you would please come down to my office, I’d like to speak to you about her estate.” Her estate? Silvia was what you would call different, but she was fun and always treated me kindly. I was just sad that I never was able to say goodbye to her after we closed the diner.
“I'm about to go downtown…”
“I highly suggest you come here first.” The man pressed on.
“Fine,” I relented.
I sat inside a dusty office with a man who looked like he was stuck in the same era as Silvia had. The office itself was out of a pulp 1900s detective story.
“I’m sorry to hear she passed. She seemed like such a fun lady,” I noted sadly. I was sad she had died, but she was up there in years so when I heard she’d passed, I wasn’t terribly surprised.
“Silvia was a great friend and had a good heart. She spoke of you often, saying how hard you worked trying to help your family.”
I started to cry hearing him. “I tried,” I muttered.
“Well then, let’s get on with it. Silvia never had any children or anyone in her life who she deemed important,” Mr. Towns noted as he looked over his papers. “It would appear, my dear, she left you her entire estate.”
“You keep saying estate and all I can think about is her costume jewelry. I’m grateful she thought of me enough to leave me something, but it’s truly unnecessary,” I said softly.
“Her estate is worth about twenty-five million dollars. She said and I quote, ‘Addie has worked hard all her life giving up more than most. She deserves to live and I want to give her that.’” He looked up through his glasses at my stunned face.
“Excuse me, but did you just say twenty-five million?” I murmured.
“Yes. Silvia’s family is old New York money. It’s now all yours, Ms. Sakis.” I let out a breath and started to hyperventilate.
“Ms. Sakis, are you all right?” he asked concerned.
“I’m fine and it’s Mrs. Evans now. I got married,” I said through my tears.
Paris
I didn’t exactly tell Sofia or my father about the money. I wasn’t keeping it from them, thinking they wanted it, but I was finally in control of my own life. I gave Sofia money and sent some to my father. Both probably thought it was Daimon’s. After my meeting with Mr. Towns, I headed back home, laughing crazily at how things had turned out. A part of me still wanted to head right to Daimon and tell him off. I wanted to throw those divorce papers at him and fight with him, but what would have been the point? I still hadn’t found my Addie. What good would I be to him?
It took a month, but I finally finalized my trip to Europe. It would be the first time I would see the world all on my own. I was excited and nervous, and well, scared to death.
I fidgeted in my seat on the plane, nervous about my first flight alone. When Daimon had taken me to Bora Bora, he calmed me down, but I had no one to do that but a big burly man who was sitting next to me. I was pushed to one side trying to make space for his extra weight. He smiled at me politely and I smiled back. I could tell he wasn’t very comfortable, but he tried his best to lean to the opposite side.
“First time flying?” he asked me quietly.
“No, not really…first time alone.” I smiled nervously.
“You’re telling me your husband let you travel all by yourself?”
“My husband?” I murmured, narrowing my eyes at him. He smiled and pointed at my rings.
“Oh,” I said softly.