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“We,” I snort. “Why did you even hand the case to me if you’re going to micromanage things from behind the scenes?”

“Your brother’s caseload is already too heavy as it is. I thoughtsurelyyou could handle something as simple as a divorce with a signed fucking prenup.”

“Is itmyfault your friend seems to be an asshole?”

“Careful,” Alexander warns.

I press my lips together to hold back another retort. I know this won’t get me anywhere. There’s no arguing with Alexander Hart. There’s only doing whatever the fuck he says.

“So how do you suggest I proceed from here?”

He leans back in his chair. “The woman Lorenzo has beenissuing payments to is a relative. The money is to cover her medical bills. She’s chronically ill, you see.”

“Chronically ill,” I parrot dryly.

He nods. “That’s right.”

I close my eyes and count to three. “Are there any documents confirming the nature of this account? Medical bills? Discharge records?”

“Unnecessary, given that Bianca and the little lawyer Moreno’s assigned to the case will never find any evidence refuting it.”

“So you just expect me to give them that horseshit and assume they roll with it?”

He cocks an eyebrow. “Why would they not? It’s the truth.”

“Of course it is,” I mumble.

“This case should be an easy win for you,” Alexander says. “I would hate for there to be any more hiccups. If you can’t handle something as simple as this, perhaps I should lighten your caseload entirely.”

My heart starts to beat faster. I know where this road leads. The threats will not end with just me. They never do.

“I can handle it,” I assure him. “It’s fine.”

“Good to hear,” he says. “Be sure to tell your mother goodbye before you go.”

And just like that, I’m dismissed. I know better than to press any issues, standing without argument. “Anything else?”

“Eli tells me you’re friendly with Danica Pierce.”

My jaw clenches, and I can only hope he doesn’t notice. “She’s an acquaintance. We’ve been opposing sides for a number of cases now.”

“I see.” He regards me for a long moment, my stomach twistinginto knots the entire time. “See that it remains that way. A friendship with someone from a rival firm wouldn’t do well.”

I give him a stiff nod, quickly retreating from his office before he can think of anything else to discuss. Fucking Eli. Fucking Alexander.

This fucking family, I swear.

Idotell my mother goodbye before I leave, but she’s less than before. Less talkative, less aware, just…less. It twists my insides to see her like that.

I sit in my car afterward checking my messages, and I only feel aslighttinge of desperate relief when I see Dani’s name among them. I don’t analyze it too deeply. I can’t.

Sour Patch:I’ve forwarded the documents Bianca shared with me for disclosure. We can do depositions on the 16th or the 26th. Do either of those dates work for you?

There’s an overwhelming urge to call her, to ask to see her—if only to have a brief respite from the tumultuous emotions roiling inside me. Not that she would want it. Honestly, I think this might be a rare day where her barbs would be less than endearing. I think today they might actually cut. I tamp everything I’m feeling down, tapping out a quick reply.

Me:I’ll check my schedule, but the 16th should work.

I see the dots dance across the screen, disappear, pop back up, and then disappear again before she finally sends: