For the Hamiltons, law seemed to be a family tradition. Griffin respected them all because they were good attorneys and they all seemed to have a passion for the law. He shared that same passion and drive. Griffin worked as hard as anyone else in the firm, if not harder at times. He wanted to prove himself and hoped to make partner one day.
To do that, he knew he’d have to make sacrifices, but he was constantly struggling where Marissa was concerned. She dominated his thoughts, causing him to fight his feelings on a daily basis. He would not risk the wrath of Jacob Hamilton, although Marissa was certainly worth it.
He really cared for Marissa, but constantly reminded himself that he could not let his emotions get in the way.
Too late.
* * *
Marissa stood in front of her full-length mirror eyeing her reflection. The antique mirror had once belonged to her paternal grandmother. The reflective glass offered a glimpse of how much Marissa resembled her father’s mother.
She’s Uncle Frank’s mother, as well.
Marissa shook the thought of her uncle’s affair with her mother out of her mind. She turned to get a side-view look at her appearance. Marissa’s mouth tightened for a brief second. She removed the dress she had just slipped into moments before and tossed it carelessly across the room. It landed on her king-sized bed, joining a small pile of other abandoned clothing.
Marissa walked barefoot, crossing the room quickly. She entered her walk-in closet with purpose. She regretted not taking time the night before to find something to wear, and she did not want to be late for work. She had a meeting at nine o’clock with a client.
She chose a navy dress with a white Peter Pan collar and an empire waist. Marissa slipped into a pair of navy-and-white high-heeled pumps to match. She walked over to the mirror to check her reflection once more. Marissa brushed back her long brown hair and pulled it into a ponytail, securing it with a navy barrette. She scrutinized her appearance once more.
Although she was twenty-six years old, everyone seemed to think that she looked years younger. Maybe in time, Marissa would come to appreciate being considered so youthful looking, but for now she absolutely hated it.
As the youngest of Jacob and Jeanette’s five children, she was babied by everyone. Growing up, she had always received special treatment, but lately, she had begun to feel that no one really took her seriously. Especially…
Marissa shook her head. No, she did not want to think about him.
“I am not going to let you ruin my day,” she whispered.
Marissa glanced at the clock on her bedside table and then grabbed her purse. She needed to leave now if she planned to make it to the firm on time.
Her parents were seated at the table when she entered the kitchen.
“Good morning,” Marissa said to no one in particular as she rushed in, grabbed a bottle of water, blew kisses toward them both and rushed out of the house.
Her father followed her. “Hey, that’s all we get?”
Marissa smiled as she opened her car door. “Sorry about that, Daddy. I had a late start this morning and I have a meeting at nine. Are we still on for lunch?”
Jacob nodded.
“See you then,” she responded, fighting back tears. “I need to leave.”
He pressed a keypad on the wall to open the garage door.
Marissa waved and then backed her car out.
She loved her father dearly and it was killing her inside to carry this secret. Marissa could not understand how her mother could be so deceitful. How could she risk tearing her family apart by having an affair with Uncle Frank? He was her father’s brother!
Poor Aunt Vanessa, she thought silently.
By the time Marissa arrived at the office, she was focused on business. She had always wanted to follow her siblings into law and worked very hard to make that happen, which included graduating from law school with honors.
Marissa was intent on showing her brothers and Jillian that she was every bit as good as they were, since they still seemed to treat her like the little baby sister who needed to be sheltered, despite the fact that there was only a five-year difference between her and Jake, her oldest brother.
Marissa wanted to be taken seriously by everyone, including her family. First, as an attorney, and then as a woman.
* * *
“Marissa, are you busy?”
She glanced up from her computer monitor to see Harper’s new wife. “Azure, come in.”
Azure closed the door behind her. “Harper told me about his conversation with you,” she announced as she sat down in one of the visitor chairs.
“Someone contacted you anonymously claiming that my mother and my uncle had an affair.”
Azure nodded.
“And that person also said that I am a result of that affair.” It was more of a statement than a question. “Is there any proof of this, other than Uncle Frank confessing the truth to Harper?” Marissa wanted to know. “Do they have pictures of them leaving a hotel or something more scandalous?”
“Not that I know of,” Azure responded. “Right now we have no other information, but in situations like this—all that is needed is a rumor, whether true or false.”
Marissa settled back in her chair and crossed her legs. “So, what does this person want for this little tidbit? Money?”
“There’s been no demand for money or anything. Marissa, I haven’t taken this to my editor. You have to know that I am going to do everything I can to see that this accusation never sees the light of day.”
“If your magazine doesn’t publish the story, then I’m sure this person will go somewhere else. I really would like to know what’s in it for them to try and ruin our lives.” Marissa shook her head sadly.
“I can’t imagine how you must be feeling right now,” Azure told her. “I’m so sorry, Marissa.”
“I still find it hard to believe that my…my mother could do something like this to my dad. They always seemed so happy and in love.”
“I won’t let this get out, Marissa.”
“It may be out of your hands, Azure. Unfortunately, we will all have to wait and see if the other shoe falls.”
Chapter 3
“Marissa, I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me,” a young woman said as they walked out of the courtroom.
Smiling, she responded, “You’re welcome, Rita.”
The twenty-year-old had pleaded no contest in a drunken-driving case. Marissa had suggested Rita plead to the charge of driving while visibly impaired.
“I’ve learned my lesson and I’ll be relieved to be able to put this behind me.”
“Will this charge be on my daughter’s record forever?” the older woman with them asked. “I want her to have a chance to get a good job or become that doctor.”
“If Rita stays out of trouble while she is on probation, then her record will be expunged. She will be able to do whatever she wants with her life.” Marissa glanced over at the young girl. “It’s all up to you, Rita.”
“Lord knows, I pray so.”
When her clients left, Marissa noticed a man standing near the exit doors of the courthouse. A smile tugged at her lips.
“Daddy, what are you doing here?” Marissa was surprised to see him. She had not noticed him in the