Page 82 of Storm Warning
"You're absolutely reading it right. And the material breach clause..." Maria scrolled quickly, her eyes moving with the speed of someone who'd spent years dissecting contracts. "This is beautiful. Normally I have to argue about what constitutes 'material' versus minor breaches. But they literally listed the exact violation you're dealing with as an example. It's like they wrote you a roadmap."
"So what's our next step?" Kate leaned forward, her exhaustion forgotten.
“The Notice to Cure Deanna sent covers all legal requirements, so you are down to a seven day period.”
"Just like that?" It seemed too simple, too good to be true.
"Just like that," Maria confirmed. "Well, assuming they're stupid enough not to cure, which based on their behavior so far, seems likely. Publishers this sloppy usually think they can bully their way through. They're banking on you not knowing your rights or not having the resources to enforce them."
Her smile turned feral. "Surprise. And we are going to up it one step more. What they did wasn’t a minor breach—it was intentional. They froze your entire backlist, ignored the provided documentation, and continued withholding royalties after being presented with the copyright records. That’s willful, and bad-faith.”
Kate sat up straight, attention caught. “Bad-faith?”
“Yes. When a publisher behaves like that, the law doesn’t make you sit around and give them a second chance. They didn’t just violate the contract—they destroyed the trust the whole relationship depends on. So we’re going to move for immediate termination and full reversion of rights. You’re done with them, effective today.”
“Oh my God, Kate! That’s incredible! This might actually be the best silver lining ever.” Callie squealed as Kate just slumped back in her chair, so overwhelmed with relief that she couldn’t even speak.
Maria laughed, and continued on explaining the demand she would draft and send that afternoon.
Kate’s mind wandered back to her conversation with Callie before Deanna joined them. The memory washed over her, bringing with it a strange mix of revelation and relief.
Callie had again pointed out her ex envied her, and this time, Kate hadn’t just listened, butheard, as Callie explained her thought process. The words penetrated deep this time, past the defensive walls built over decades, settling into truth. Kate agreed that Callie’s analysis made perfect sense.
Callie had also pulled up the Emotional Wound Thesaurus for growing up in foster care, and they both realized it fit Kate to a T. The recognition had hit her like a physical blow—a moment of true clarity, where she saw herself in the words on a page, and understand she wasn’t uniquely broken but followed a pattern, a predictable response to trauma.
Amazingly enough, realizing her fears were common for her background had helped more than anything. She wasn’t damaged beyond repair; she was responding as expected in her circumstances. Funny, she had used that core wound before, in more than one book, but somehow had never seen herself in it. The irony made her lips twist in a rueful smile.
She grounded herself again using Zach’s breathing trick—in for four, hold for four, out for four—and thought back to earlier, when she had admitted how tired she was of being held back, of living a life dictated by fear and doubt. The exhaustion of it all weighed on her like a yoke, pressing down on her shoulders, making every breath an effort.
As the others talked, their voices a comforting backdrop, she faced those fears one by one, analyzing them as Callie had, and let them go. Each one she examined seemed to shrink under scrutiny, losing its power. She pictured them as tangible things, dark shapes in her hands, and imagined opening her fingers and watching them dissolve like smoke.
It wasn’t over; she still had a battle ahead of her, but it was one she could, and would, win. The certainty of it settled in her bones, solid and sure, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she believed it.
Chapter 44
Watched
Kate fastenedthe last button on her top with a rare sense of calm—her heart lighter somehow. She smoothed her skirt, slipped on her sandals, and checked her phone for messages. Sunlight poured through the windows, casting warm patterns across the floor.
Her body thrummed with a restless energy she desperately needed to burn off. To be extra careful, she drove one of the golf carts from the garage, safe from tampering, and left it parked under Mario’s watchful eye in the lobby driveway.
Breakfast at the Pavilion was as delicious as always. The rich aroma of fresh coffee and buttery pastries filled the air as the easy hum of conversation settled her nerves. She’d savored every bite, letting the meal ground her in the promise of a normal day.
With her stomach full and her spirits higher than they’d been in weeks, Kate decided to walk one of the scenic trails winding through the property. The resort was famous for its lush beauty, and she wanted to lose herself in it for a while. In broad daylight, with a security guard trailing her, she’d be perfectly safe.
She gathered her things and headed for the lobby entrance only to switch direction when she spotted Lena at the front desk.
“Good morning, Lena! How are you today?” Kate trilled.
Lena sat back and smiled back. “Good morning, Kate. Aren’t you chipper today? What are you on, and where can I get some?”
Kate laughed, the joyful sound echoing off the marble floors, as she flopped into the chair in front of Lena.
“It’s a secret! But don’t worry, I think you’ll find out yourself soon.” Kate smirked—David had fallen head over heels for Lena, but didn't think she realized it yet. “It’s so beautiful out I thought I’d go for a walk before heading back to write.”
“Oh, that sounds lovely.” Lena hesitated before saying carefully, “I’m glad to see that you are continuing work. You were so depressed the other day; I was afraid you might quit.”
Kate’s heart swelled at the genuine concern in Lena’s voice. “Honestly, I thought about it, but I’m not letting someone scare me away from what I love. I’m going to beat them.”