Chapter 5 – Another Condition

Natalie’s POV

I was already halfway down the hall when I heard his footsteps rushing after me.

“Natalie, wait!”

I didn’t stop, but I slowed just enough.

He caught up beside me, still a little breathless. “Look,” he said. “I know Carmilla crossed a line. She’s scared, okay? She thinks everyone’s out to get something from me. Her mind’s a mess right now. Just… let it go this once.”

I turned to face him, calm but sharp.

“No,” I said. “That’s not something I can just let go.”

His face tensed. I didn’t give him a chance to interrupt.

“I don’t want to work with someone who didn’t just sit there and let another woman insult me—a lawyer trying to help—” I raised both hands in a mock peace sign and curled my fingers like a sarcastic little wave, “but also treated his own marriage like it was some throwaway deal. Like it meant nothing.”

I let out a small breath. “And yes, I’m speaking from experience. I recently went through a divorce too. So yeah, I know how messy it gets but it’s not fair to only listen to one side of the story and run with it.”

That hit him. His expression shifted. For once, he didn’t look defensive. He just looked like the weight of it was finally sinking in.

He hesitated, then said, softer, “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to talk badly about her, I just… I thought she was being greedy. Asking for my grandfather’s inheritance after everything. It felt wrong.”

I folded my arms across my chest, jaw tight. “You thought. That’s the problem. You never even met her, and yet you built this whole story in your head. You decided who she was, what she wanted, and why she stayed without ever hearing her speak.”

He had no response. Just stood there, silent.

So I didn’t sugarcoat it and straightly said, “I know getting Carmilla out is the priority and you didn’t make it clear earlier.” I paused. “So here’s what I suggest: talk to your ex-wife. Face her before you throw out another careless assumption.”

I didn’t blink as I added, “Maybe if she understands your side, she’ll help you. Maybe then she’ll give you the legal documents you need.”

I leaned in a little, quieter but firmer now. “And maybe then... I won’t feel like I’m just fixing another mess made by someone who doesn’t respect women.”

He just stood there. No reply. Nothing.

Just a slow nod. “Okay.”

Then, even softer, “I really am sorry. For everything we said. About my ex-wife. About you.”

His voice wasn’t sharp anymore. No charm, no excuses. Just guilt, plain and honest.

“I judged her without knowing her,” he added. “And I let someone else speak for me in the worst way. I wasn’t trying to be cruel, but… I was. And that’s on me.”

I didn’t answer right away. I let the silence stretch out between us. Let it hurt a little.

Then, after a moment, I gave a small nod. “Alright.”

I didn’t forgive him. Not that easily.

But I could work with him… to get to know him more.

I couldn’t just let this chance slip away, not when I finally had the chance to see what kind of man he really was.

What kind of man I actually married.

We went back into the room.

Carmilla was still in the same seat, legs crossed like she hadn’t just set the whole place on fire five minutes ago. She looked at me for a second, but I didn’t let her speak.

I walked to the table, dropped the file, flipped to a clean page, and sat down across from her.

“Let’s talk about the case,” I said.

She straightened up a little. “Okay.”

Brandon sat beside her, a bit stiffer now. Like he was finally shifting into business mode.

“We signed a deal to export military-grade AI chips,” Carmilla said, placing her hands on the table. “It’s a five-year contract. Worth about five billion.”

I raised a brow. “And the problem?”

“Two weeks before our first shipment, the regulators froze all international payments tied to one of our branches. They say it’s about fake invoices, maybe money laundering. But I didn’t touch any of it. Someone used my name.”

“And you’re listed as the main account holder,” I said, checking the file.

She nodded. “I’m being framed.”

Of course she was. Classic setup—pick a woman high up the chain, and make her the fall girl when things go south.

“You’re the scapegoat,” I said. “Seen this before. You’re visible, so you’re the easiest to blame.”

Brandon turned to me. “Can you handle it?”

“I can get her out on bail in 48 hours,” I said. “And I can make this case disappear in three months.”

Carmilla blinked. “You make it sound easy.”

“It’s not,” I said. “But I’m good at what I do.”

She looked like she wanted to argue, but Brandon gave her a look, and she stayed quiet.

I shut the folder and stood up.

“One more thing,” I said, eyes on her. “I’m not interested in Brandon. If that’s what’s been bothering you, relax.”

She blinked. “I never said-”

“You didn’t have to,” I said, smiling just a bit.

Brandon shifted beside her like he suddenly forgot how to sit comfortably.

“I just find it strange...” she took a deep sigh and whispered, “The way he acts around you. He’s never like this with anyone else.”

I looked at him. He quickly looked away, I didn’t say anything else.

“Anyway,” I said brushing off my sleeve, “if you want me to help, follow my lead. No drama. No games. Just do what I say.”

Carmilla nodded, this time without talking back. “Understood.”

Meeting over.

Brandon walked me to the door.

“Thanks again,” he said. “For not walking out.”

I looked at him. “Don’t thank me yet. This is just the beginning.”

We stepped outside. We didn’t talk much.

The air between us felt heavier. Not tense, just… different.

When we reached the car, Brandon opened the door for me like it was habit.

“I really appreciate this,” he said. “Honestly.”

I nodded. “Let’s see if you still say that when the paperwork starts piling up.”

He gave a small smile but didn’t answer.

Once we were driving, he looked over. “Are you sure that you don’t handle divorce cases? Or know someone who does?”

I didn’t even blink. “Dylan.”

He frowned. “Dylan?”

“Senior partner. Quiet, sharp, no nonsense. You’ll like him.”

He nodded. “Can I get his contact?”

“Sure.”

I pulled a card from my planner and handed it to him. He slid it into his pocket.

“Thanks,” he said. “I should’ve done this a long time ago.

I didn’t answer.

Then he leaned forward. “Elena,” he said to his secretary, “can you pull up my ex-wife’s number?”

I froze.

She nodded, already reaching for her phone.

My heart kicked in my chest.

He was actually going to call. Right now. While I was sitting next to him!

I reached out and grabbed his wrist. “Wait!” 

But it was too late.

As his call went through, my cell phone began to ring in my handbag.

I watched him closely, not daring to plunge my hand into my handbag to silence my phone.

There was a long, tense pause. The call wasn’t answered, so he hung up.

As soon as he did, my phone fell silent.

Brandon’s gaze fixed on my handbag, his eyes filled with suspicion.