Todos los capítulos de Legally Bound : Capítulo 21 - Capítulo 30

The chairs were arranged in a wide semicircle across the stage, each one identical except for the small name cards resting on the seats. As the moderator directed the panelists forward, Lily walked with Gillian’s quiet encouragement echoing behind her.She took her seat as she smoothed her shirt. Alex was not beside her. There was another speaker, a senior prosecutor, occupying the seat between them. Good. Just enough distance to breathe, but not enough to forget he was there.The audience murmured with excitement. Phones rose discreetly. A few young associates pointed subtly toward Alex in awe, and a couple towards Lily, whispering about her impressive speech.The moderator tapped the mic. “Welcome back, everyone. We’ll now begin our Q&A session. Feel free to address your questions to any of our panelists.”Lily folded her hands neatly in her lap. A slow breath left her lungs. She was ready.The first few questions came at random, directed to the tax attorney, the senior prosecutor,

The ride back to Lily and Gillian’s apartment was quiet but not an uncomfortable quiet.More like… suspended air.A silence thick with everything that hadn’t been said yet.Alex drove with one hand on the wheel, the city lights sliding across his face.Wilson kept stealing glances at him, trying and failing not to smirk.In the back seat, Gillian whispered something to Lily, but Lily barely heard her.Her mind had been replaying the night in small loops.The dinner, his presence, his apology and his overly attractive gentleness. A different Alex from years ago.A different Alex from New York headlines.A different Alex than she’d expected.When they pulled up in front of the apartment building, Lily moved to open the door immediately, anxious to break the tension but Alex’s voice stopped her.“Lily… wait. Just a second.”His tone wasn’t commanding.Just sincere enough to make her pause.Wilson and Gillian stepped out, pretending not to listen but absolutely listening.The night was c

The cool New York air hit Alex the moment he stepped out of the airport. Despite barely sleeping, he looked effortlessly put-together; navy coat, crisp shirt, black briefcase in hand as he looked around to find his driver.His driver hurried forward.“Welcome back, sir.”“Ah Mark, here you are. Thanks, Mark,” Alex said, sliding into the back seat.Mark adjusted the mirror. “Might want to brace yourself. The office…erm it’s not good today.”Alex rubbed his forehead. “Define not good.”“Well… on a scale of one to ‘mayday,’ we’re somewhere around… sir-you-should-have-stayed-in-Chicago.”Alex let out a dry laugh. “Perfect.”As they drove into Manhattan, Mark continued:“Partners have been pacing all morning. Someone from finance was crying in the hallway. And your father… well… he’s been in since dawn.”Alex stiffened.His father never came in before 7am unless something was on fire.“Pull up at the side entrance,” Alex said quietly.“Yes, sir.”The moment he stepped out, conversations di

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, spilling Alex into the familiar marble hallway of Cromwell & Partners. Despite the early hour, the building felt overly tense and definitely too quiet, too still. Normally, by this time, partners would be pacing, assistants rushing past with coffee trays, legal interns clutching documents like lifelines.But today… silence sat heavily in the air.Alex stepped out, adjusting the strap of his briefcase. He barely took three steps before someone appeared suddenly in front of him.Eileen.Her eyes were wide, her hair slightly frizzed, a dramatic shift from her usual sleek composure.“Alex,” she whispered in a quick, panicked voice. “Good. You’re early. We have a big problem.”He blinked. “What happened now? Another client threatening to”“No. Worse,” she said, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the corner so no one overheard. “Auditors. From the State Bar. And compliance. They arrived thirty minutes ago.”His jaw tightened. “Auditors? T

Alex woke up before sunrise, the restlessness in his chest dragging him straight to the hospital. The hallway was quiet at that hour, and as he approached his father’s room, he slowed when he saw the lights dimmed.His mother was asleep on the sofa beside the bed, wrapped in a thin hospital blanket. She stirred at the soft creak of the door.“Alex?” she whispered, rubbing her eyes.“Hey, Mom.” He kissed her forehead gently. “You should’ve gone home.”She shook her head. “And leave him in this state? No way”He let out a small grin, he was amazed at how his parents still doted on each other so much even after being married for almost 30 years. Her gaze shifted toward the bed. “He’s been awake for a while.”Mr. Cromwell sat upright against the pillows, alert but still looking pale.“You’re here early,” he said with a tired smile.Alex pulled a chair closer. “Wanted to check on you. You scared all of us yesterday.”His father shrugged weakly. “I’m fine. Just overworked.”“No,” Alex said