Chapter 7 - THE LAWYER WHO PREPARED EVERYTHING.
Jonathan Pierce had represented Ethan’s family for twelve years.
He handled Caroline’s estate.
Noah’s trust.
The surrogacy paperwork.
Almost everything.
When confronted, Jonathan denied knowingly falsifying documents.
Then Ethan’s new attorney showed him the payment.
Jonathan stopped talking.
His own counsel arrived before the second interview.
The truth emerged in pieces.
Richard wanted Sofia excluded permanently.
Melissa wanted money.
Jonathan wanted the surrogacy finalized without any possibility of future litigation.
He convinced himself removing the contact clause protected Noah.
He did not believe Sofia had parental rights after the legal transfer.
But rights were not the only issue.
Consent mattered.
“You changed something after she signed,” Ethan said.
Jonathan looked down.
“I believed the substance remained legally valid.”
Sofia laughed bitterly.
“You believed I wouldn’t matter enough to fight.”
Jonathan did not answer.
Then Ethan asked why Sofia had been told she could never even request updates.
Jonathan finally admitted there was another reason.
Caroline had left a private letter.
It instructed Ethan to establish a small education fund for Sofia if she ever wanted to finish nursing school.
Ethan had never seen the letter.
“Where is it?”
Jonathan swallowed.
“In Caroline’s sealed estate file.”
Ethan stared at him.
“Why wasn’t I given it?”
May you like
Jonathan’s answer was almost inaudible.
“Richard told me not to.”
