All Chapters of SECOND VERDICT: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Emma took the stairs.She'd been taking the stairs for two days straight. Four flights up every morning. Four flights down for lunch. Four flights back up. Her calves burned and her lungs protested but it was better than risking the elevator.Better than risking running into Alex.The text message haunted her. I lied. It does matter. All of it. Every moment.Emma had read it fifty times. Maybe a hundred. She'd typed responses and deleted them. She'd started to call Alex three times and chickened out each time.What was she supposed to say? It matters to me too? I think about you every day? Seeing you again is breaking a heart I didn’t know I still have?No. Better to say nothing. Better to avoid it altogether.So Emma took the stairs instead.Wednesday morning, she was halfway up the third flight when her phone rang. Sarah.Emma answered, breathless. "Hey.""Did I catch you running again?""No, taking the stairs. At work.""The elevator broken?""Something like that." Emma reached the

"Oh. Ms. Richardson. Ms. Parker." His eyes darted between them. Taking in Alex's red eyes. Emma's flushed face. The tension thick enough to cut. "Am I interrupting something?""Not at all," Alex said smoothly. Professional mask back in place. "Ms. Parker and I were just discussing the Bennett case.""In the stairwell? You know the current in here is so charged, if not that you both are ladies, I could swear you were both making out”. He said jokingly."I needed to return some books to the library. Ms. Parker happened to be here." Alex's voice was ice now. Cold and distant. "Was there something you needed?""Just heading down to lunch. Taking the stairs. Trying to get in shape you know." Marcus smiled. Too interested. Too curious. "How's the case going?""Fine," Emma managed. Her voice sounded strangled. She cleared her throat. "Very well. We're preparing for depositions next week.""I heard you two worked really well together in the client meeting. Bennett was impressed." Marcus was st

The door opened. Maya walked in wearing a red dress that show her perfect figure and also probably cost more than most junior associate make in a year. Her dark hair was perfect. Her smile was bright."Surprise!" Maya spread her arms. "I know I said tomorrow but I finished my meetings early and thought we could grab an early dinner.""Maya. Hi." Alex tried to smile. Failed. "This isn't a great time.""When is it ever a great time with you?" Maya perched on the edge of Alex's desk. Too familiar. Too comfortable. "You're always working. That's why we didn't work out, remember?""I remember.""So take a break. Just one hour. There's this amazing sushi place in the Mission. My treat."Alex wanted to say no. Wanted to stay here and stare at Emma's dark office and wallow in guilt.But maybe dinner with Maya would help. Maybe spending time with someone uncomplicated would remind her that there was life beyond Emma Parker."Okay. One hour."Maya's smile grew. "Perfect. Let me just use your bat

At five thirty, Alex gathered her materials for the strategy session. Deposition questions. Case notes. Legal research. Everything perfectly organized.Her hands were still shaking.She walked to Conference Room B. Early. She wanted to be there first. Wanted to be settled before Emma arrived.The room was empty. Alex set up her laptop. Arranged papers. Took a deep breath.Her phone buzzed. Text from Maya.Maya: BTW, I've been thinking about your situation with your second chair. The one from college? If you need advice on navigating workplace dynamics with an ex, I'm here. I know how messy it can get.Alex's stomach dropped. Maya knew too much. Was asking too many questions.She typed back:Alex: Thanks. It's handled. See you tomorrow.Another text. This one from Emma.Emma: On my way. Please tell me you prepared actual case strategy and this isn't going to turn into another emotional disaster.Alex smiled despite herself.Alex: I have seventeen pages of deposition questions. We're goo

Back at her desk, she threw herself into work. Deposition prep. Legal research. Emails. Anything to keep her mind occupied.David appeared again. "You left for lunch an hour ago. Where did you go?""Nowhere. Just walked.""Without food?" He set a sandwich on her desk. "I brought you something. You need to eat.""Thanks.""Emma. What happened?""Nothing happened.""Your face says otherwise."Emma unwrapped the sandwich. Took a bite. Tasted nothing. "I saw them. Alex and Maya. Having lunch. Looking like... like they belonged together.""And?""And Maya kissed her. And Alex let her. And they looked happy." Emma's voice cracked. "And I have no right to be upset about it but I am anyway."David pulled up a chair. "You're allowed to have feelings.""I'm with Sarah. I shouldn't be having feelings for Alex.""But you are.""But I am." Emma set down the sandwich. "And I don't know what to do about it. Because I can't be with Alex. That ship sailed eight years ago. And Sarah deserves better than