stalled, Estella received a

mother-in-law,

cond, then answered. E

thout any preamble. "Estella, I heard about your littl

y trying to end a marriage that, by your

, and starting this ridiculous lawsuit... you're just trying to get mor

on ignited Es

inted her as a gold digger. It was

pon she had, the truth she had kept hidden

rice. If we're going to discuss who profited from this marriage, perha

clearly hadn't expected Estell

ed before she c

nt? The one my parents left me? The one your family's pharmaceut

You offered marriage because it gave the Molinas acces

ice sh

into your family begging for a check. Your family

was no

almost

he law says is mine, suddenly I'm greedy? Tha

ted plenty from being a Molina. The

y's intellectual property," Estella cut in. "The di

nce

their interactions,

lways wore. She had exposed the commercial foundation of the ma

e was gone, replaced by a weak, flustered anger. "

talking about. That's why you suddenly

tone rem

ember this: I'm not asking the Molinas for a reward. I'm ending a business arrangement your fam

d for onl

problem isn't the divorce. Perhaps it's the

or a reply, Estel

the first time she had fought back so forcefully, the first time sh

time, she

ead, Estella had forced her to confront the one fact the Molina

she should be grateful just to carry their name.

egal rights, and a life that existed long before Alden Molina. None of that v

t the dark screen of

call her g

Estella wou