“No, Dad,” I replied, my voice firm. “I’m going to handle this. But I need you to prep the lawyers and get my affairs in order. We’re going to turn this around, but I need to stay close to them for now to gather more evidence.”

“Understood,” he said, the pride evident in his tone. “Don’t worry, we’ll make sure this doesn’t go the way they planned. You’re your mother’s daughter, after all.”I smiled at the warmth of his words, the reference to my mother reminding me of her unyielding strength and wisdom. I knew, without a doubt, that I had inherited her tenacity.

After ending the call, I took a moment to compose myself, smoothing down the crumpled layers of my wedding dress. The image of the demure bride was gone, replaced by the determination of a woman ready to fight back against those who had wronged her.