6!His name is Matthew Russell!

ZARA

The New York breeze hit like a wave just as soon as I stepped out of the plane. I held Hazel with my hands as we descended. 

The air filled my hair and memories of everything I went through in this city flooded my mind like a hurricane. 

I felt Hazel's hands leave mine, and my fingers clutched my purse tightly. I felt like I was just thrown back into a hole I spent my life crawling out of.

If I'm going to get rid of the weeds at Zenith Law firm, I have to be strong. I have to show my opponent, because I'm going to have many. I'm going to have to show them, I'm stronger, and more formidable.

“Zara,” I heard a voice, and my fingers clutched my purse even tighter. “You can't run away from me now,” the voice said again. I gasped, and turned around.

“Hey, it's me,” Vic said, holding her hands out. 

“Mama, are you okay?” I heard Hazel's voice. I looked around, wondering why I could hear him like he was standing next to me. 

“I'm fine baby, let's get to the car,” I picked her up and walked side by side with Vic.

“Are you sure you are okay?” She asks.

“I'm fine,” I said abstractly, and continued working to avoid further questions.

We got to the parking garage and a man with my name held up in a big paper walked towards us.

“Hi, Miss Taylor, Miss Maria sent me,” he said, and I nodded.

“And our luggage?” I asked him.

“Already in,” he led us to the car, we got in, and started the journey to our new home in the city.

All of these wouldn't have been possible without Maria and Vic's help. Immediately I decided to move back to the state, I had Maria look for a house that suits my taste along with Vic as well. 

She might just be an assistant but she uprooted her life for me. Which also means I have to tell her everything.

“I haven't told you everything,” I said, and she looked at me.

“You mean despite you embarking on a journey to cleanse your new law firm?” She asks with a smirk.

“Yes,” I said to her, caressing Hazel's hair, who is already asleep on my lap.

“In order for me to have full control of my shares in the firm, I have to marry someone,” I said, and she looked at me confused. 

“Wait, what does that mean?” She asks.

“It means if I want to have access to my position, I have to marry a man I vowed I would have nothing to do with,” I said to her, and she sighed.

Vic looked at me, her brows furrowed. “So who is this man? Someone from your past?”

I nodded slowly, looking out the window as buildings began to blur past.

“His name is Matthew Russell.”

Vic didn’t say anything at first. She just stared at me like she was trying to piece together a puzzle. “Is he… Hazel’s father?”

I froze for a second. “Yes.”

She let out a breath. “Wow.”

“I never told him about Hazel. I left before I found out I was pregnant.” I said, brushing Hazel’s curls from her forehead. “And I never told him, because he can't be Hazel's father. Not after what he did. I built a life. I moved on. But now...”

“But now your dad’s will is dragging all of that back,” Vic finished for me.

I nodded again. “It’s like he planned this. Like he knew I wouldn’t just walk away. But he also knew the only way to make me stay was to give me no choice.”

Vic leaned back in the seat and crossed her arms. “That’s twisted. Forcing you to marry the one man you wanted nothing to do with.”

I swallowed hard. “It’s not just about marriage. It’s what the firm has become. Zenith Law used to stand for truth, Vic. Now, it’s a mess. Dirty deals, bought cases, shady people running things behind closed doors. If I don’t step in... it’ll only get worse.”

Vic was quiet for a moment, then said, “So you’re really going to do it? Marry Matthew?”

“I don’t know,” I whispered. “But I know I have to face him. I have to make him see that I’m not the same woman he left behind.”

“Zara, you don’t owe that man anything. Especially not your heart,” she said gently.

“I know. That’s why I’m not doing it for him. I’m doing it for Hazel. For the people the firm was meant to protect. For myself.”

Vic smiled and nodded slowly. “Then I’m with you. No matter what. You say the word, and I’ll help you tear the whole place down and rebuild it from the ground up.”

I smiled, grateful for her loyalty. “Thank you, Vic. I don’t think I could do this alone.”

We arrived at the house just as the sun was starting to set. The driver parked out front and opened the door for us.

It was a quiet neighborhood, the kind of place that made you feel like you could breathe again.

I stepped out, carrying Hazel in my arms as Vic grabbed the bags. The house was perfect, simple, safe, and just enough space for the new beginning we were about to build.

“Where are you off too?” Vic asked me as I held the door knob.

“There is something I have to take care of,” I said. I didn't wait for her to speak. I walked out the door, and got into the car.

“The cemetery,” I said, and rested my head on the window. I needed to see my Mom. I didn't see her before I left the states, and now I need to see her. To draw strength from her.

The car moved slowly through the streets. Lights passed by, one after the other, and everything felt quieter than usual. I closed my eyes for a moment, holding back the tears. I had to be strong. I didn’t come back to break down. I came back to fight.

The driver looked at me through the mirror. “We’ll be there soon, Miss Taylor.”

I gave him a small nod. “Thank you.”

When we arrived at the cemetery gates, I stepped out of the car. The wind was colder here. The sky was getting darker, and the air smelled like rain. I walked through the quiet paths, the sound of my boots soft on the gravel.

I didn't need directions to find her headstone, I could find it in my sleep. As I got close, I looked up and saw a figure standing in front of my Mom's headstone.

I didn't need to ask myself who it was, I know who Matthew. I could picture him, anywhere, anytime. In the darker alley I could, even if he was behind me.

That's how close we were. How much in love we were until he had her killed, and now he is trying to suppress his guilt by visiting her grave.

He turned around, and I did immediately. I can't let him see me. Our appointment is for tomorrow, not today.

“Zara?” He said my name like a question. His voice brought chills that I thought I had forgotten through my body.

I'm sorry Mom, but our visit has to be later.

“Zara,” this time he was sure it was me. I quickened my footsteps and walked back into the packing space. 

“Please wait,” he was gaining on me but I moved faster.

“Drive!” I yelled as soon as I got into the car with my heart beating faster than it ever has.