**Confronting the Past**

As I dialed the phone number of the first lawyer on my list, my heart began to pound in my chest. I had been preparing for this moment for weeks, but I still felt a sense of trepidation. What if the lawyer didn't take me seriously? What if they told me I didn't have a case? I pushed the thoughts aside and took a deep breath, reminding myself that I was doing this for myself. I was taking control of my life and seeking justice for the pain my ex had caused me. The phone rang several times before a receptionist answered, and I was asked to hold for a few minutes. I waited, fidgeting with the papers and notes scattered on my desk. I had spent hours researching lawyers and wire fraud settlements, and I had finally found a few who seemed promising. I was about to take the next step and see if they could help me. After a few minutes, a woman with a warm and friendly voice came on the line. "Hello, this is Sarah from Smith and Associates. How can I help you?" I took another deep breath and introduced myself, explaining that I was calling about a potential wire fraud case. Sarah asked me to hold for a moment, and then she transferred me to one of the lawyers. Attorney Rachel Patel answered the phone, and we exchanged a few pleasantries before I dove into my story. I told her about my ex, about the way he had manipulated and deceived me, and about the emotional trauma I had endured. I