A Dangerous Coincidence

Two years later

The judge hits the gavel after stating his final verdict that's in our favor.

My client turns, hugging me. Her voice trembles “You did it.”

I break the hug. My hand is on her shoulder. “We did it.”

On my way out, I exchange handshakes with some law students that introduce themselves, telling me how I inspire them.

The pathway is blocked by my client's ex husband, the beta of Moon Pack. The scowl on his face says it all, he's furious that he lost.

He advances towards me. His hands are in his pocket.

“You should have asked around about me before taking on this case.” He speaks through gritted teeth.

“How else would you explain this victory if I didn't ask around?” I smirk.

He walks closer and inclines slightly. He whispers, “You may look all flawless, but I know you have one blemish, and I won't stop digging until I find it. Then…” He straightens. “Your reputation will be dragged through the mud.”

He gently drags the hem of his jacket, straightening unseen folds, and pivots gently, leaving.

I scoff, and resume stride, unfazed by his threat. He's not the first loser to threaten me.

Twenty eight minutes later, I walk into the firm I work at. My colleagues are on their feet, clapping and cheering.

I smile, waving at them as I advance to my office.

Felicia, my secretary, comes with a bottle of champagne, and pops it open.

“Thanks, Felicia, ” I raise my hand to refuse the flute. “But I'd prefer a black coffee. You can carry on without me.”

“Also,” I'm holding my door open, staring at Felicia. “I need tomorrow's case file in two.”

“Got it.”

I walk into my office and settle at my desk. I take a minute to look at Hayden's picture frame on my desk. He had some contact lens on, shading his amber eyes, and a dot on his face. His bang covered his forehead. His wide smile in the picture always brightens me up in my lowest moments.

I thumbed his beautiful round face, smiling ear to chin. I take it, cleaning the already neat picture frame.

Felicia comes to the office, and I drop the picture frame carefully, still looking at it.

“Edward is on his way to pick him up.” She is walking to my desk.

“Is it time already?” I check my wristwatch, a bit disappointed. It's quarter to two.

I keep making promises to pick him up one of these days, and spend some quality time. I don't know why I have to be selfish with my work schedule. I can't even squeeze out a leisure time to spend with my son. It's crazy.

“Yeah.” She drops the case file and hands me the coffee. “The case file looks good to me.”

I drop the coffee after taking a long sip. “I think the same too.”

“So, why don't you go pick him up?” she asks. “I can call Edward. He hasn't gone too far.”

My gaze goes back to my son's picture frame. “I love the idea. I really do, but I have to put off.”

I look at the case file in front of me. The case is complicated. The defendant is Lester, the man I failed to forget countless times. I tried to reject the case, but the director of the firm insisted I take the case.

I open the case file, going through the timelines of events. My client's statements are always conflicting. He says different things to me, and another at the court room.

My client made a wrong estimation and sold to Lester sixty-eight acres of land instead of sixty-two. Lester's refusal to give back the extra six acres was the reason he was sued.

I close the case file. “I don't think we stand a chance.” I look up at Felicia. “Any valuable medical report from his doctor?”

“No.” She walks closer to the desk. “But I don't think we need a medical report to prove that he's scared of the Alpha King.”

“Scared of someone who never shows up at Court?” I scoff. “That's ridiculous.”

His absence in court is the main reason I agreed to take the case. Becky, his lawyer, made it clear on the first hearing that Lester won't be available for the case.

“Is there anything else I can do to help?” Her voice is lower than it used to sound.

I breathe in roughly as I tap on a key on my system, waking it up. “I’ll call you when I need you.”

“Okay.” She leaves.

I move the pointer to a folder, clicking it open. I go over the legal research I made on the client. I'm drafting out a few points when the door opens, and Felicia comes in.

I look at my wrist watch, aware of the reason for her visit. It's seven minutes past nine. It's frustrating how time flies when there's still much to cover.

Without protesting, I turn the laptop off and place the case file on top of it.

Hayden has a habit of not sleeping until he sees me. The habit began in my second year at the university. He stayed awake while I read, and when I urged him to sleep, he would pretend to be asleep.

His persistence in keeping the habit up is the reason I clock out before 10:00 PM, his sleeping time.

“Let me help you with that.” Felicia carries the case file and the laptop.

“Thanks.” I walk before her as we leave the office.

***

“All rise,” the bailiff says, and everyone in the court obeys.

The judge leaves for a six minute break.

Chairs are being scraped against the floor as some people leave for a refreshment. Some are murmuring, and the rest are just like me, quiet.

I'm looking at the worthless document on my table. Becky has more valuable points in her document. She even knows better about my clients. He has episodes of amnesia and never cared to share. There is valid evidence that he was paid for the six acres.

I sigh, frustrated.

I'm arranging the documents when my phone starts to ring.

Looking at yesterday's report of the case, I pick.

“Hillary, you have to leave the court!” Felicia says over the phone in a trembling voice.

I move my eyes away from the documents, scanning the court room. My heart is pounding out of my chest.

“What's going on?” My voice is a mere whisper.

“I heard a rumor that the Alpha King just arrived at Moon Pack.”

My handbag is on my shoulder. My laptop and document are held close to my arm, before she says the last words. I end the call, hurrying towards the doors.

“Attorney Hillary?” Mike, my client calls, and I stop, facing him. “Is everything alright?”

“I'm sorry, but there's an emergency.” My voice is shaking. I try to be calm as I can, but my action still causes stares. “I have to run.”

“What about the case?”

“I don't think we need to hear it. You should have been more open with me.” 

I scurry past him, heading to the door. I push the doors open to leave, but never made it out.

The edge of the doorway catches my heel, taking me off balance. My laptop escapes my grip, and the documents disseminate in the air, raining down.

I gasp and close my eyes, bracing myself for the impact.

Suddenly, strong arms cease me by the waist, firm and unyielding. They arrest my fall, and the next second, I'm pulled into a solid chest.

For a moment, my heart fails to pick up the rhythms as the scent I remember so well, Petrichor, engulfs me.

My fingers are still clenched to his jacket, my body flat against his. My heart beat i

s terrible as I slowly look up to meet his dangerous, red gaze.