Chapter: Chapter 12 – A Line We Can’t Cross The walk back to Blackstone Publishing was quieter, but something had changed. We weren’t just boss and intern anymore. There was a certain current between us, something unspoken but heavy. It lingered in the way our shoulders brushed as we walked. In the way his hand hovered slightly behind me when we crossed the street, like he was debating whether or not to guide me forward. It was nothing. As we reached the entrance of the building, I hesitated. I wasn’t sure why, but I felt like if I walked inside now, something between us would snap back to the way it was before. Nathaniel must have sensed it too because he didn’t move either. "Sir," I said finally, my voice softer than I intended. "Thank you. For dinner." He nodded, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Don’t get used to it." I let out a small laugh. "Of course not." why would I? I turned to go, but before I could take another step, his voice stopped me. "Hannah." I turned back. Nathaniel’s jaw clenched
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-10
Chapter: Chapter 11 – Sparks in the ShadowsNathaniel was avoiding the case. I was sure of it now. But that wasn’t my problem. If he didn’t want to do his job, then fine. I’d do it without him. I spent the rest of the afternoon buried in old articles, tracing connections between the fire victims. The deeper I went, the clearer the pattern became. These weren’t just random incidents, they were deliberate. Someone was silencing people, one fire at a time. The thought sent a chill through me. My fingers hovered over my keyboard as I stared at the web of notes I’d pinned to my screen. The same names kept coming up in different reports, scattered across years, connected by nothing except the fires that had destroyed their lives. This wasn’t a coincidence. Lost in my work, I barely noticed when the newsroom started emptying out. The sky outside had darkened, the city lights casting a faint glow through the windows. I stretched, my neck stiff from hours of staring at my screen. I wasn’t done yet. Not even close "Still her
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-08
Chapter: Chapter 10 – The Unfinished PuzzleThe sound of my keyboard filled the quiet space around me, a rhythmic tapping that matched the beat of my thoughts. Notes, timelines, theories—I had everything in front of me, yet the pieces still didn’t fit. The fires weren’t random. I could feel it. But without solid proof, it was just a gut feeling. I sighed, rubbing my temples. The newsroom bustled with activity, but at my little desk, it felt like I was working alone. Well, almost alone. I looked over at the other interns, I never really knew what they were up to. Nathaniel never really gave us what to do aside from a few reports to write here and there. If I hadn't been doing this fire case with him, I'd be almost jobless. I glanced toward Nathaniel’s office. He sat at his desk, sleeves rolled up, fingers lazily spinning a pen between them as he stared at his screen. His expression was unreadable, but I had been around him long enough to know when someone was just pretending to work. He had barely contributed to the investiga
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-06
Chapter: Chapter 9 – Unspoken Truths The offices of Montgomery & Chase were exactly what I expected—polished, intimidating, and completely impersonal. The air smelled of expensive coffee and fresh ink, and the walls were lined with framed case victories, as if reminding visitors that this firm didn’t lose. Nathaniel and I stepped through the glass doors, and I adjusted my blazer, trying to look more confident than I felt. This was my first real field assignment, and while I wasn’t about to admit it, I was nervous. Nathaniel, on the other hand, looked completely at ease—bored, even. He barely glanced around as he approached the receptionist. “Nathaniel Rhodes. We’re here to see one of your senior partners regarding an ongoing investigation.” The receptionist, a sharp-eyed woman with dark-rimmed glasses, barely looked impressed. “Do you have an appointment?” Nathaniel exhaled, clearly expecting this. “Tell Mr. Ashford that it concerns recent fire-related incidents.” Her gaze flickered with something- Recognition? Ei
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-06
Chapter: Chapter 8 I had barely settled into my seat when a familiar voice made me freeze. “The report on last night’s fire.” Nathaniel. I looked up just as he dropped a folder on my desk without so much as a glance my way. I barely had time to respond before he was already walking off toward his own desk, sleeves rolled up, posture rigid. I exhaled sharply. Of course. No “good morning,” no instructions. Just another case dumped on me while he pretended I didn’t exist. But I wasn’t going to let him keep dismissing me. I grabbed the file and followed him to his desk. “Sir, what exactly am I looking for?” I asked, keeping my voice professional but firm. Nathaniel finally looked at me, his cold gray eyes scanning me like I was an annoying pop-up ad on his screen. “Patterns,” he said simply. “If you’re going to be working on this case, you should be able to find them yourself.” I clenched my jaw, refusing to let his indifference get to me. “And if I do find something?” “Then we’ll talk.” I stared
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-02-18
Chapter: chapter 7- Following the ashes (Hannah’s POV) The smell of burnt wood and ash still lingered in the air as I stepped over the caution tape. The building had been nothing more than a quiet corner bookstore—one I’d passed dozens of times without much thought. Now, it was a skeleton of charred beams and shattered glass. I swallowed hard. Standing here, in the middle of what was once a thriving business, made everything feel more real. This wasn’t just a story; it was someone’s life in ruins. Nathaniel walked a few steps ahead of me, his hands shoved in his pockets as he studied the wreckage. The morning sun reflected off the broken windows, casting sharp shadows across his face. He looked… distant. I clutched my notepad tighter. “The fire report said it started in the storage room,” I said, scanning the area. “The owner, Mr. Langston, barely made it out in time. If he hadn’t smelled the smoke…” I let the sentence hang, the implication clear. Nathaniel didn’t respond. I glanced at him, waiting for some kind
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-02-12
Chapter: 41MELISSA'S POVThe recess ended far too quickly. I barely had a breath of fresh air and Mr James was pulling me away from Nicholas insisting we should not arrive in the courtroom late.I smoothed my palm over my skirt in an attempt to prevent it from sweating. The courtroom air was heavier than before, and the voices rose and fell like waves at the shore.Steve was already there, seated beside his lawyer, pretending to be calm but I could see that familiar face of arrogance. The court session commenced and the judge started speaking. "We will resume proceedings from where we left odd before the recess" Counsel for the petitioner, you may continue"Mr James rose from his seat with composure. "Your Honor, before recess, we presented a new submission that corroborates the petitioner’s claim of marital infidelity."Steve’s lawyer was quick to stand. "Your Honor, these photographs could have been fabricated. Without confirmation of their authenticity, this line of evidence is circumstantia
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-10-07
Chapter: 40NICHOLAS'S POVThe room was too silent. I could hear the ticking of the wall clock and each second was dragging. The judge examined the files that Melissa's attorney had brought to her. I looked at Steve. He and his unskilled lawyer were uneasy in their seats.The judge finally turned to Steve and spoke. "Mr Ross, it seems like we have a development"Steve tried to deny it but the judge wasn't having any of that. Melissa's lawyer interjected and revealed what the evidence contained. A wave of gasps erupted from around me and that was when a satisfaction hit me. A small smirk played on my face.It was a last-minute decision I had taken. That night when I was watching Elle sleep. I had heard voices in the corridor and there was one I could not mistake. I followed the voice and behold, it was Steve.He walked out of a room with the doctor, thanking him for treating his pregnant 'wife'. I knew damn well Melissa was not pregnant. And if she was, Steve would be the last person taking her to
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-10-05
Chapter: 39MELISSA’S POVThe morning light filtered through the courthouse windows. I sat beside Attorney James with my fingers intertwined in my lap.Steve was already there, immaculately dressed as always. His lawyer whispered something to him and he chuckled under his breath. I looked away quickly so he would miss me gazing.Across the aisle, the judge entered and the courtroom fell to a hush."Court is now in session" the bailiff announced. Mr James rose first, "Your honor, my client seeks dissolution of this marriage on the grounds of emotional neglect, coercion, and prolonged infidelity. We have submitted documentation supporting these claims and will present any evidence that comes to light at the court's discretion"I could see from the corner of my eye that Steve and his lawyer exchanged weird glances. His lawyer quickly stood, smirking, "With all due respect, Your honor, this case has been prolonged unnecessarily. Mr Ross has cooperated fully, and there has been no evidence presented
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-10-04
Chapter: 38NICHOLAS'S POV"You good?" I asked Melissa. I could tell something was off with her.I noticed it the moment she walked into my office with her hair pulled back too tightly. It was a slight effort people made when they were trying to hold themselves together.I leaned against my desk with my arms folded. "Melissa" She hadn't responded to my question earlier.She looked up startled. "Yes, Mr. Redmond"I almost laughed, but her hint of formality stung a bit. She had grown comfortable enough to call me Nicholas before, but now, it was as if she was trying to insert a wall between us"You've been off all day. I hate to bring it up, but if Steve..."She shook her head. "It's not Steve, I'm fine" She cut me off and pressed her lips into a thin line. I didn't believe her and I knew she was lying but I didn't press further. I had to be professional."Well, you need to get your act together. There's work to be done" I said and instantly regretted it. It came out harsher than I intended it to
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-10-03
Chapter: 37MELISSA'S POV The rain hadn't stopped since dawn, turning the city into a blur of gray and silver streaks against the office windows. I had gotten to work exhausted, with my hair damp when the receptionist handed me a plain brown envelope. "No return address," she said I frowned, turning it over in my hands. No company logo, no handwriting. Just a neat white label with my name printed in block letters. My stomach tightened. An anonymous mail rarely carried good news. I twirled it within my fingers as I entered the elevator. I was eager to open it. I slipped into my desk and peeped in for Nicholas. He wasn't in his office yet. I knew he was at work because I saw his car outside. He was probably attending to something. I took this as my cue and made a beeline for the bathroom so I could have more privacy. Thankfully, the bathroom was empty, but I still locked myself in one of the stalls just in case. I examined the envelope. It was heavier than expected, so it wasn't just regular
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-10-03
Chapter: 36NICHOLAS’s POV I looked over at my mother who was weirdly quiet. “Everything okay there mum?” I looked at her through the front mirror. She nodded but I wasn't convinced. “You do pay Melissa well enough. Don't you?” I hesitated. Of course I pay Melissa really well, but why would she ask me that question all of a sudden? “Yes. I pay Melissa a decent amount” She shook her head and didn't respond. What does Melissa’s pay grade have to do with anything? I got to my apartment and made sure she had everything she needed to be comfortable."She's a lovely girl" her words called me back. she was watching me carefully."Melissa?" I frowned. "She's competent and hardworking"My mother's brow arched "I asked her if she was single"My chest tightened. "No you didn't" I was not surprised she did that. This was something we often fought about"I did" she said primly "And she told me she's not.""Yes Mum. She's married" I almost yell"Watch your tone a bit young man""If it makes you fe
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-10-02
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