The Love That Came Too Late

Chapter 4 Gutter Rat

The box went flying across the room.

A gory, mangled mess tumbled out, smearing a crimson streak across the carpet.

The maid's knees buckled in horror. "A dead rat. How could it be a dead rat?"

Xavier happened to step out with a bowl of pasta. The moment he saw the scene, he tossed the bowl aside with a clatter and rushed to Iris's side.

"Iris, are you okay?" He dropped to his knees, cradling her hands with exaggerated care, his expression as though handling priceless treasure.

Iris giggled, sweet and coquettish. "I am fine, Xavier." Then, catching sight of Celia from the corner of her eye, her lips puckered into a pout. "Celia sent a dead rat to freak me out. I was terrified."

Xavier scowled at Celia. "What is wrong with you? Did prison mess you up that bad?"

Henry chimed in, his voice sharp with reproach. "How could you be so vile? Apologize to Iris right now."

Celia lifted her head, her eyes empty. "What proof do you have that I bought it?"

Iris's voice shot up an octave. "Who else could it be? The box had your name on it."

Celia's retort was ice calm. "Have you ever gotten mail that was not yours? Just because it is addressed to me does not mean I bought this."

Iris faltered, then scoffed. "Oh, so now you are claiming someone sent it? Please, you just got out of prison. Who would send you anything?"

Celia's lips twisted into a mocking smile. "Maybe you should ask yourself that question. If it were not for your little stunt, why would anyone send me a dead rat?"

Iris's face flushed scarlet. "You cannot just say it is from someone else. I say you bought it. Prove it was not you."

"Why should I?" Celia tilted her chin up. "The burden of proof lies with the accuser. If you think I am guilty, you prove it, not me." Her eyes locked onto Iris's. "You are a lawyer, Iris. Should you not know that basic principle?"

Bathed in morning light, her silhouette seemed to glow, a halo of defiance around her. For a fleeting moment, Xavier saw her again, the undefeated Attorney Celia, sharp-tongued and unshakable, dismantling opponents with ruthless precision.

Then, with a sharp c***k, Henry slammed his newspaper onto the coffee table and stood. "Is this a courtroom or a home? Your license has been revoked. Stop acting like some hotshot lawyer. "

Celia's spine, once straight with defiance, slumped just a fraction. Her chest ached as she stared at Henry, his favoritism boundless. He was right. She would never practice law again.

All thanks to them.

The maid trembled, her finger shaking as she pointed at the box. "There is a note inside with something written on it."

Xavier marched over, yanked out the note, and his face went rigid.

"Xavier," Iris pressed, tugging at his sleeve. "What does it say? Read it."

His lips pressed into a tight line. "Shameless lawyer Celia, you are a gutter rat now. End up like this one."

As he lowered the note, his eyes flicked to Celia. She stood motionless, her face ghostly pale, her thin body almost translucent in the light, like she would vanish if you blinked. Xavier's chest tightened oddly.

Henry sneered. "I warned you to drop the law nonsense. It serves you right."

"Ugh, I am freaked out." Iris shuddered, shooting Celia a glare. "This is all your fault."

Celia turned toward the stairs, her shoulders caved, her back curling like she had been punched in the gut.

Xavier moved without thinking. "I will check on her."

"Xavier." Iris pouted, pressing a hand to her heart. "I was terrified."

But he barely heard her, already rounding the corner.

Left alone, Iris snatched a throw pillow and hurled it onto the floor.