LOGINShare
Chapter Thirty one: The Video
publish date:
2026-05-07 17:41:12
Nana writesMorrison was HARSH but fair. And Emma asked for a break! She's choosing her career over Alex right now. Marcus actually apologized (thanks to David threatening him!). But Emma has shut Alex out completely. How is Alex going to handle this? And can they work togeter Monday without falling apart? Let me know what you think!
Latest chapter
SECOND VERDICT Chapter Thirty two: Suspended Sentence
Present Day – SaturdayEmma's phone died at 11 PM Friday night.Not the battery. She'd turned it off. Held the button down until the screen went dark and the buzzing stopped and the apartment went quiet enough that she could hear the refrigerator sound and the distant sound of traffic six floors below and her own breathing, which was shakier than she wanted it to be.She'd read enough of the messages to know what was being said.Sleeping her way to the top.Always knew she didn't earn Bennett on merit.Richardson's little pet.She should be ashamed.That last one had come from an internal Morrison email address. Not anonymous. Someone with their name attached, who'd decided their opinion of Emma Parker's character was worth putting in writing on a Friday night.She didn't recognize the name. That was somehow the worst part. Not someone she'd wronged or competed with or even spoken to. Just a person in the building who'd seen a ten-second video and decided they knew everything about he
SECOND VERDICT Chapter Thirty one: The Video
Present Day - Friday MorningEmma stood outside Morrison's office at 7:45 AM.Alex stood beside her. Neither had slept. Both looked like they'd been through war.The video had spread everywhere. By last night, everyone at Morrison & Associates had seen it. By this morning, it was probably on every phone in the building.Emma's inbox was full. Hateful messages. Accusations. A few supportive texts from David and a couple other associates. But mostly hate."Ready?" Alex asked."No.""Me neither."Morrison's door opened. He stood there in his usual suit, expression unreadable. "Come in. Both of you."They walked in. Sat in the chairs across from his desk.Morrison closed the door. Walked to his desk. Pulled up something on his computer. Turned the monitor to face them.The video. Paused on a frame showing Emma and Alex clearly kissing."I assume you've both seen this," Morrison said."Yes, sir," they said together."Good. Then you know everyone else has seen it too. I've had three partner
SECOND VERDICT Chapter Thirty: Reality Check
Present Day - Thursday AfternoonEmma woke with a gasp.Her bedroom. Her apartment. Alone in her bed with sunlight streaming through the curtains.She sat up, disoriented. Heart racing. Body still humming with the memory of...A dream. It had been a dream.Alex's apartment. The fire drill. The confession. The way Alex had touched her. The feeling of finally, finally being together.None of it had been real.Emma pressed her hands to her face. Her skin was hot. Her pulse hammered. She could still feel phantom touches. Could still taste Alex's kiss.God, what was wrong with her? Dreaming about sleeping with Alex when she was supposed to be taking things slow. When they'd agreed to be professional.Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She grabbed it.2:47 PM.The strategy meeting was in thirteen minutes.Emma had fallen asleep at her desk during lunch. Had dozed off for maybe twenty minutes. And dreamed an entire evening that felt more real than anything she'd experienced in years.She spl
SECOND VERDICT Chapter Twenty Nine: Alex's Apartment
Present Day - Thursday AfternoonThe fire alarm went off at 2:45 PM.Emma was in Conference Room B, setting up for the three o'clock strategy meeting. Files spread across the table. Laptop open. Ready to prove she could be professional.Then the alarm blared. Loud. Insistent."Attention. This is a fire drill. Please evacuate the building immediately. Use the stairs, not the elevators."Emma grabbed her laptop. Left the files. Joined the stream of attorneys heading for the stairwell.Twenty-two floors down. Her legs were burning by the time she reached the street.Outside, the entire building stood on the sidewalk. Hundreds of people. Morrison employees mixed with tenants from other floors.Emma found David in the crowd. "How long do these usually last?""Hour minimum. Sometimes two if they're being thorough." David checked his phone. "Building management sent an email. Scheduled drill. They're testing the sprinkler system too. We're not getting back in until at least four thirty."Emma
SECOND VERDICT Chapter Twenty Eight: Morrison's Office
Present Day - Thursday MorningEmma arrived at Morrison's office at 7:55 AM.Alex was already there. Standing in the hallway outside Morrison's door. Looking as exhausted as Emma felt. Dark circles under her eyes. Coffee cup in hand like a lifeline."Morning," Alex said quietly."Morning."They stood in awkward silence. Not looking at each other. Both staring at Morrison's closed door like it was a guillotine."Did you sleep?" Alex asked."No. You?""Not really."More silence.Emma wanted to say something. Wanted to acknowledge the texts from last night. The way they'd stayed up until two AM trading messages. The way Alex had made her laugh despite everything.But this was Morrison's hallway. Other attorneys were arriving. Walking past. Watching.The gossip had already spread. Emma could see it in their eyes. The knowing looks. The whispers."Whatever happens in there," Alex said, not looking at her, "I want you to know something.""Alex, don't...""I'm going to tell Morrison the truth
SECOND VERDICT Chapter Twenty Seven: Fallout
Present Day - Wednesday EveningAlex stood outside Emma's locked office door, hand raised to knock.She'd been standing there for five minutes. Unable to move. Unable to walk away.Inside, Emma was crying. Alex could hear it through the door. Quiet, broken sobs that made Alex's chest ache.This was her fault. Sarah's public breakup. The scene in the hallway. The whispers that had already started spreading through the office.All of it. Alex's fault.She knocked softly. "Emma? It's me. Can I come in?"The crying stopped abruptly. Silence."Emma, please. I know you're in there.""Go away, Alex.""I'm not going away. Not until I know you're okay.""I'm fine.""You're crying alone in your locked office. You're not fine." Alex pressed her forehead against the door. "Please let me in. Please."More silence. Then footsteps. The lock clicked.The door opened.Emma's face was blotchy. Eyes swollen. Makeup smudged. She looked destroyed."Happy now?" Emma's voice was raw. "You wanted to see me? H
You may also like
The Bachelors Getaway (BxB)
Ashe Alberts38.8K viewsHis Girlfriend's Brother
Angela Lynn Carver41.1K viewsFalling for the Doctor
Skye Ruelle54.9K viewsThe Male Omega's Awaking
Dee Gleem92.8K viewsThe Architect of My Ruin
Raen158 viewsThe Contract Omega( MXM Romance)
AuroraDreamer7.9K viewsThe Substitute Husband's Secret
Michael340 viewsHeated Rivalry
Blossom 132 views
