What shattered me completely was the witness. On the stand, he recanted his testimony. In that instant, my mind went blank.
The judge’s voice upholding the original verdict was a distant drone. I don’t remember how I left the defendant’s table under Abby’s
mocking gaze, or how I pushed through the swarm of reporters outside the courthouse. All I remember is snapping back to reality
with my client’s wife and daughter collapsed at my feet, their wails tearing through the air as they asked me why. Why?
Afled, disoriented and panicked, and stumbled right into Ethan and Abby.
She was hooking a finger in his tie, pulling him close, the air thick with intimacy. Her voice was a sultry whisper, a warm breath
against his ear.
“Ethan, darling. Thank you for destroying the evidence for me. And for giving me the witness’s information. It’s the only way I could
have won. I’ll be sure to reward you properly.”
Ethan stroked her hair, his voice gentle. “Her winning or losing is nothing compared to your perfect record.”
The sight of them, so cozy and triumphant, made my stomach turn. As far as I knew, Abby was ten years our senior, divorced, with
a child.
A small sound escaped my lips, and they both turned. They saw me standing there, pale as a ghost.
“Charlotte…”
Ethan started towards me, but Abby held him back. She looked at me, a triumphant smirk on her face, and made a thumbs–down
gesture. Then, with a sickeningly sweet smile, she mouthed a single word.
“Loser.”
Ethan seemed to think he’d done nothing wrong.
I screamed, my voice raw with hysteria, demanding an explanation. He just waved a dismissive hand, his tone detached, as if he
were a mere spectator.
“Abby helped me out of a tough spot once. This is just a small thing for you, Charlotte, but for her, it’s her hundred–win reputation.
You should know what’s more important.”
“A small thing?”
A laugh, sharp and brittle, escaped my lips.
“The breadwinner of a family is wrongfully imprisoned, and you call that a small thing?”
“The hopes of countless other workers are crushed, and you call that a small thing?”
14:00
Chapter 1
14:00
“In your eyes, Abby Monroe’s reputation is the only thing that matters?”
Perhaps the raw disappointment in my eyes provoked him. His face darkened with irritation. “What else? Let me be clear. To me, Abby is more important than anyone else. She helped my mother escape a gambling–addicted husband. She helped me get away from my deadbeat father. There’s nothing she could do that I wouldn’t forgive.”
He continued, his voice hardening, “Just quit being a lawyer, Charlotte. The world only needs one top female attorney, and Abby’s career can’t have a single loss. I will clear every obstacle from her path. From now on, you’ll stay home and take care of me.
