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“It’s a monthly payment for the last six months to Malibu Hills.”

“Malibu Hills is a swanky townhouse community.” Harlow thanked the bank representative and ended the call.

Before logging out of the business checking account, she took a screenshot and forwarded it to her email. Jillian lived in Malibu Hills. She’d even bragged about it, showing Harlow and Robert pictures of her new home right after she moved in.

With a few quick clicks, Harlow confirmed her suspicions. She and Robert were paying for Jillian’s townhome. “Good news, everyone,” she said sarcastically. “It looks like Robert and I are paying for Jillian’s swanky Malibu Hills townhome.”

She glanced at the calendar. Based on the entries, it was almost time for another rent payment. Harlow grabbed her phone and dialed the bank’s number again. Within minutes, she had stopped payment for the next month’s rent.

“I wish I could see the look on Robert’s face when he realizes Jillian’s rent wasn’t paid.” Harlow pressed her hand to her forehead. “I’m such a fool.”

“You trusted your husband,” Aunt Birdie said. “Like any normal married person would do.”

“I almost hate to keep digging. My gut tells me there’s more. Tomorrow can’t get here soon enough,” Harlow said. “The sooner Attorney Beckworth’s associate in California can get the ball rolling and papers filed, the better.”

*****

Harlow spent the rest of her day gathering pertinent information. She’d already assembled the details on their assets—accounts, properties, retirement information, anything she could think of.

Sifting through the years of their marriage saddened Harlow. It made her sad but also angry. Robert had used her, and he would do the same to Jillian.

He would keep her around until the next big star arrived on scene and then it would be wash, rinse, repeat. Along the way, he would trample over the women he professed to love.

Although Harlow’s marriage was ending, she’d gained something in return. Rebuilding her relationship with her father, along with finding out who she could count on during the tough times. Eryn, her dad, Aunt Birdie, Vic and even Janice, her publicist. Perhaps there were others. For all Harlow knew, Robert had let them go and warned them not to contact her.

“Hey.” Her father stuck his head around the corner. “Someone is here to see you. Are you at a good stopping point?”

“I finished getting everything Nigel asked for.” Harlow tidied up the papers and set them off to the side. “Who is it?”

“You’ll have to come with me to find out.” Her father waited by the bedroom door for Harlow to join him. “You’ve been working hard. It’s time for you to take a break.”

Reaching the front door, she found Lottie standing on the porch, holding a bouquet of fresh flowers. “Hello, Harlow.”

“Hey, Lottie.”

“Your father mentioned you were a little down in the dumps. These are for you.” She held out the bouquet.

“How thoughtful. Thank you.” Harlow could barely wrap her hands around the bountiful arrangement–orange Asiatic lilies, pink carnations, butterscotch daisies, yellow roses and orange berries. “They’re beautiful. You picked these from the gardens?”

“Only a few.” Lottie pinched her thumb and index fingers together. “I have a friend who helped me with the arrangement.”

Harlow admired the base, a pink porcelain teapot. “It’s adorable. Please thank her for me.”

“Why don’t you thank her yourself? It’s our girl’s night out—more of an arts and crafts get-together. I’m hoping you’ll join us.”

“To make something creative?” Harlow asked. “I’m all thumbs, not to mention I have a broken thumb.”

“Talent is not a requirement, only a willingness to have fun.”

“Lottie has a close-knit group of friends,” her father explained.

Harlow hesitated. On the one hand, she desperately needed a mental break. “Unfortunately, I tend to be a disruption. I would hate to ruin your night.”

“Disruption, smuption.” Lottie flicked her wrist. “Come with me just this once. If it’s not your thing, I’ll never bug you to go again.”

“You’re not bugging me now. Thank you for thinking of me.” Harlow wheeled her way to her room, grabbed a jacket, and caught up with Lottie on the sidewalk.

Vic emerged from the cottage when he saw the women. “It’s a girl’s night out. Feel free to hang out with Dad.”