CHAPTER THREE

If someone had told me six years ago that I'd be living in Brazil, working at one of the most prestigious law firms in the world, I would've laughed in their face, because I never dreamed of working as a lawyer.

All I ever wanted was to find my mate and live happily, taking care of him and our pups. I just wanted a simple life, but it seems the moon goddess had other plans for me. Here I am—Emma Wilfred, one of the top associate attorneys at Santiago & Fields.

After the rejection and watching Darrell tie the knot six years ago, all I wanted was to disappear, as the embarrassment, mocking stares, whispers, and unbearable shame of being left behind by my mate were just too much for me to endure. It was all coming from everyone, even from my so-called friends.

Back then, when I first announced to my friends that Darrell was my mate, they were so happy for me, though other girls were jealous. But I didn't care about what others thought. All I cared about was that at least I had my friends’ support. But immediately after the news of the rejection and Darrell’s marriage spread around like wildfire, I finally realized that they had all been wearing masks.

I was trying to seek some comfort from them when I happened to overhear their mocking discussion, saying that it was exactly what I deserved. Out of all of them, only Trisha stood up for me and supported me till the end, while the rest showed their true colors—and how jealous they had been since I told them Darrell was my mate, though they hid it because they were too afraid to get on his bad side.

And my parents? I couldn't even bear to face them. Especially not after I saw my own father on his weak knees, begging Darrell's mother. I didn’t hear what they were saying very well, but I heard my father plead, “She is just a foolish girl who has little idea how this world works. Please punish me instead of her.”

Tears streamed down my face as I saw my father in that position. I could see that he was in so much pain, yet still forced himself to beg for me. I didn't know what they claimed I’d done, I didn't know what lies they had spread against me again, as Darrell's mother and wife had always made life difficult for me but seeing my father in that position, begging for me… it broke my heart.

So that made me run far away from home. Far from everyone.

Without saying goodbye or leaving any messages behind, I abandoned my entire life.

Starting over here wasn't easy, but it was necessary. I found a reason to survive—a reason I kept hidden from everyone, the only thing that kept me going. And now? I'm not just surviving anymore. I'm living and thriving with my one and only daughter, Hailey Wilfred.

“Girl, you're just too amazing,” Carmen grinned as she pulled a chair and slid into the seat beside me in the break room, the scent of her jasmine perfume mingling with the faint coffee aroma she was carrying.

I flipped my long wavy hair back with a smile, feeling proud of my latest success.

I had just won another case this morning.

“Oh my, look at her acting like a peacock in stilettos.” Marta's disdainful voice cut in as she dragged a chair and took a seat across from us. “Tell me, is that little joy of yours because of the Martinez case? You know, the one that used to be mine before it was mysteriously yanked away by someone who has no conscience?”

Carmen rolled her eyes dramatically. “I think I'm getting a strong whiff of jealousy in here.”

“There is no jealousy here, sweetheart. It's well known to everyone how VIP clients tend to slip through other lawyers’ fingers… right into yours,” she said, gesturing at me. “Isn't that some sort of miracle?”

Carmen is also a werewolf, and we met at a pack gathering when I was trying to join a pack because I didn’t want to be tagged as a rogue. She is the Alpha's stepsister. She stood up for me when the Alpha refused to take me in as a member, saying she would take responsibility if any issues were to arise.

I was surprised by her actions that day, wondering how she could vouch for someone she didn't even know and be willing to take responsibility if I ended up betraying the pack or doing something against the rules.

How could she do such a thing for a stranger?

That day, she seemed like an angel sent to me. She told me that she knew I had my story, which I didn’t want to share, but she was willing to help until I’d finally be able to let it go and open up. And since then, we have been more than friends. We even live together.

But Marta, on the other hand, is just a typical human who can hardly hide her emotions. Just looking at her pinched expression and the slight flush creeping up her neck, one could already guess what was going on in her small head.

I chuckled. “Yeah, the Martinez case felt good, and trust me, I had no idea it was yours from the beginning, because when it was given to me, I heard the director saying that the current lawyer was incompetent to handle such a case, and that is why it was transferred to me. And if seducing a few hotshot partners helps me land good clients”—I shrugged—“then so be it, because that’s what is called using your skills and…” I tapped my temple with my index finger. “This brilliant brain.”

“Which, clearly, some people lack,” Carmen added, smirking.

I could feel Marta’s anger rising, and as she prepared to fire back, a deep voice cut through.

“Miss Wilfred.”

And we all turned toward the voice.

Only to see Alexander Song standing at the door with one of his hands in his pocket. He was a senior partner at the firm and one of the hotshot partners Marta was referring to. I did a quick check-out as he walked closer, and I think he was looking especially hot today. He had taken off his suit jacket; his crisp white shirt sleeves were rolled up to reveal tanned forearms, and he had loosened a few buttons at his collar.

My eyes traced his impossibly sharp jawline, lingered on those ocean-blue eyes, and I suppressed a shiver as his smooth voice washed over me.

“Do you have a moment?” he asked, looking directly at me as if Carmen and Marta had suddenly vanished from existence.

“Of course I do,” I replied, keeping my expression polite despite feeling Carmen vibrating with excitement beside me.

Carmen was always like this whenever she thought a guy was good-looking or something. Weird, right?

Alexander placed a brown file on the table right in front of me. “I want you to go through this file and handle this case. And please be careful, because it’s sensitive.”

“Why?”

“Because the client is the wife of the chairman of Raymond Group, and they are one of our top VIPs.” His eyes locked with mine. “Do you understand what I mean?”

Just as I was about to respond, Marta cut in.

“Actually, Emma’s already swamped with so much work,” she said, reaching for the file and beginning to draw it closer to her. “I’d be happy to take it instead.”

Immediately, Alexander’s hand came down, holding the file in place and stopping Marta from taking it. His eyes didn’t leave hers, and I could feel the temperature in the room dropping several degrees.

“I don’t think that’ll be possible. If I recall correctly, you still have several unresolved cases on your plate.”

“Just minor complaints…”

“They’re still cases,” he said, his tone final, leaving no room for argument.

“Let go.” With the straight and cold look on Alexander’s face, Marta slowly let go of the file, and then Alexander slid it toward me.

Then Marta angrily walked out of the room, slamming the door behind her, and I almost flinched as it felt as if the door had been slammed right on me.

I turned back to Alexander. “Okay, I’ll take a look,” I said calmly, meeting his gaze, feeling a strange heat bloom in my chest as our eyes connected.

He nodded and turned to leave, but paused when he reached the doorway.

“And… I trust you haven’t forgotten our appointment tonight?”

“Not at all,” I replied smoothly, offering him a small smile. “I’ll be there early.”

He gave a nod and then left.

Immediately after the door shut, Carmen screamed and grabbed my arm with so much force that I could feel her claws on my skin.

“Babe! Are you seriously going on a date with Alexander Song?”

I gave a soft laugh, rolling my eyes and gently freeing my arm from her grip. “Oh my God, Carmen. It’s not a date.”

“Then what is it? Because it sure sounds like a ‘date’ to me.”

“Well, for your information, it’s not a date. It’s just a business dinner,” I clarified, straightening the papers in front of me. “The client is wary about coming into the firm, as he doesn’t want any media attention about the case his wife filed against him, so we’re discussing things privately.”

“But it’s still dinner,” Carmen grinned, wiggling her eyebrows.

“With a client,” I repeated, emphasizing every word.

As I tried to focus on what I was looking at, I could still feel her gaze burning right through me.

Dropping the file, I said, “Okay, fine. I got it. He’s hot and definitely not bad, but who says he doesn’t have someone already? Trust me, guys like him usually do.”

“Then this is your chance to find out if he really does or not,” Carmen winked, leaning forward. “And please wear red. That dress that makes you look like sin on heels.”

Omg. Like, seriously. What exactly is she thinking already?

Before I could answer her, Marina, my assistant, popped her head into the room. “Ma’am? Sorry to interrupt, but there’s a client waiting in your office. Says it’s urgent.”

Now I was grateful that Marina had just saved me from having a further conversation about this topic with Carmen, because she would definitely not have let me off easily. She had also tried to set me up on a few dates, but it just wasn’t working out for me.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s not the guy. It’s me.

“Thanks, Marina. I’m coming.” I stood, gathered my files, and smoothed out my blazer.

“We’ll talk more at home,” Carmen said, giving me a playful wink.

“Nope, we are not.”

“Yes, we are.”

I couldn’t help but shake my head at her as I walked out of the break room. But inside, I couldn’t stop thinking about what Carmen had said.

The truth was that Alexander had really been making advances for a while now, but I just couldn’t bring myself to tell Carmen, because once she heard, she would construct a whole plan of having us date.

As I walked to my office, a part of me wondered if I could ever give another man a chance.

Especially someone like Alexander Song. Well, he was great, but men like him don’t come without baggage, and I’ve had my heart shattered once before.

No, once is enough. I doubt I will survive the next one.

But another voice, one I rarely allowed myself to listen to, whispered: What if this time is different?