Chapter 13 - The Book Offer
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The success of the Northwestern seminar had an unexpected, highly lucrative ripple effect. A week later, I received a thick, certified envelope from a prestigious literary agency based in New York City. I sat in my office, sipping hot tea, and read through the formal proposal with a mixture of shock and quiet amusement.
Eleanor walked in, dropping a stack of successful court orders on my desk.
"You look like you just won the lottery, Emily," Eleanor noted, sitting down in the armchair. "What is in the letter?"
"It is an incredibly aggressive offer from a literary agent," I laughed softly, handing the heavy parchment paper across the desk. "She saw the recording of my seminar online. She wants me to write a comprehensive book. Part memoir about escaping the Bennett empire, and part financial survival guide for women facing domestic abuse."
Eleanor read through the document, her eyes widening slightly at the proposed financial advance listed on the second page.
"Emily, this is a massive opportunity," Eleanor said, looking up with genuine excitement. "A six-figure advance for a debut author is practically unheard of. They believe your story has nationwide appeal."
"I don't care about the advance," I admitted truthfully, leaning back in my leather chair. "I care about the reach. If I publish this book, I can hand a roadmap to women in small towns, women who can't afford to hire a firm like ours, women who are currently hiding in bathrooms crying because they think they are completely alone."
"Exactly," Eleanor agreed fiercely. "You can put the exact tools for freedom into their hands for the price of a hardcover book."
"But there is a catch," I sighed, tapping my pen against the desk. "If I write the memoir portion, it means dragging Jason and Diane's abuse back into the public spotlight. It means officially putting my trauma on the record for the entire world to judge."
"Are you afraid of their judgment?" Eleanor challenged softly, raising an eyebrow.
May you like
I looked around my beautiful, thriving office. I thought of Lily, safe and happy at her preschool. I thought of the absolute ruin Jason had brought upon himself.
"No," I smiled, a fierce, protective fire igniting in my chest. "I am not afraid of anything anymore. Tell the agent I accept the offer. It's time to tell the truth, loudly and permanently."
