From Lies To Love

Chapter 11

The trial continued over the next few hours, but Ryan had already won the moment the security footage had been admitted as evidence.

Gains tried to counter, questioning Evelyn Carter’s credibility and arguing that the videos were obtained unlawfully. But Ryan, always prepared, had anticipated this.

“The footage was recorded in a common area of the Simmons estate,” he stated, standing confidently. “Legally, there is no expectation of privacy in these spaces. Mrs. Carter, fearing for my client’s safety, did what was necessary to protect her. And now, the truth is in front of you all.”

Then came the final blow.

Ryan turned back to Melissa Simmons, his expression softer, encouraging. “Mrs. Simmons, would you like to say anything to the court?”

She hesitated. But then, for the first time since the case had begun, she lifted her chin and spoke.

“Yes,” she said, voice shaking but strong. “I stayed silent for years because I was afraid. Afraid that no one would believe me, that George would always be protected because of his power. But today, I finally have a voice.” Her eyes locked on her husband. “And I refuse to be afraid of you any longer.”

A stunning silence filled the courtroom.

Ryan turned to the judge. “Your Honor, we rest our case.”

Verdict and Aftermath

It didn’t take long for the jury to reach a decision.

When they returned, the foreman stood, clearing his throat. “In the case of Melissa Simmons v. George Simmons, we find the defendant guilty on all counts.”

The courtroom erupted.

Melissa burst into quiet sobs, relief washing over her as Ryan leaned in and whispered, “It’s over now. You’re free.”

George Simmons, red-faced and furious, was escorted out of the courtroom. His wealth and connections couldn’t save him this time.

Linda met Ryan outside the courthouse, a proud smile on her face. “That was brilliant.”

Ryan only nodded, adjusting his cufflinks. “It was justice.”

Emily sat curled up on the couch, one leg tucked beneath her as she lazily flipped through channels, searching for something anything to distract her restless mind.

Ever since the dinner with her family, she and Ryan hadn’t spoken much. And that was fine.

At least, that’s what she kept telling herself.

She paused mid-click when a familiar name flashed across the screen.

“High-profile attorney Ryan Blackwood secures another major win in court today…”

Her grip on the remote tightened as she watched Ryan appear on-screen, stepping out of the courthouse in his signature sharp suit. A swarm of reporters surrounded him, microphones shoved in his face, cameras flashing.

"Mr. Blackwood, can you comment on the verdict?" one reporter asked.

Ryan adjusted his cufflinks a habit he always had when he was slightly impatient before answering in his usual measured tone. “Justice was served today. My client can finally move forward with her life.”

Another reporter chimed in, "This isn't your first time handling a high-profile domestic abuse case. You had a similar one in the U.S a few years back, didn’t you?"

Emily inhaled sharply.

That case.

She wasn’t expecting them to bring it up, but the moment they did, memories she had long buried resurfaced with full force.

Four Years Ago – New York City

It had been the most exhausting three weeks of her life.

Emily could still remember the suffocating pressure, the endless paperwork, the way Ryan refused to sleep and, by extension, refused to let her sleep.

Back then, she had been just another associate at his law firm. An assistant to one of the top lawyers. But somehow, she had ended up being his shadow for the entire case.

Because Ryan trusted her work.

Because, as much as he liked to pretend otherwise, she was the only one who could match his intensity.

The case had been brutal. Their client was the wife of a powerful CEO who had used every legal loophole to discredit her, to make it seem like she was the villain.

Ryan had been ruthless. Relentless.

And Emily had been right there beside him.

It was one of those late nights at the office no, early mornings when they had been reviewing deposition transcripts, red-eyed and exhausted.

Emily had rubbed her temples, groaning. “Mr Blackwood, if I read one more of these statements, I think my brain is going to melt.”

Ryan, seated across from her, had barely looked up. “You still have two more to go.”

She had glared at him. “Are you even human?”

“Depends on who you ask,” he had muttered, flipping another page.

She had thrown a crumpled-up sticky note at him.

And then, for the first time in weeks, Ryan had laughed.

Not a smirk. Not a scoff. A real, deep, genuine laugh.

Emily had been stunned. She had never seen him so unguarded. So… different.

“What?” he had asked, raising a brow when he noticed her staring.

She had shaken her head, smiling slightly. “Nothing. I just didn’t know you were capable of joy.”

His lips had twitched, but instead of responding, he had stood up, stretching. Then, to her surprise, he had walked over and grabbed the coffee cup beside her, refilling it without a word before handing it back.

She had blinked at him. Ryan Blackwood willingly getting her coffee?

“Are you sick?” she had asked, suspicious.

He had rolled his eyes. “Just drink it, Daniels.”

And then just for a second his fingers had brushed against hers when she took the cup.

Emily had felt it then. That shift in the air.

The way his gaze had lingered a second too long. The way his expression had softened so briefly she almost thought she imagined it.

But before anything could come of it, Ryan had cleared his throat and turned back to his work, as if nothing had happened.

And that was the first time Emily realized Ryan Blackwood was dangerous.

Not because he was powerful. Not because he was ruthless in court.

But because for a moment, just one, he had made her feel something she couldn’t quite understand.

Something she didn’t want to feel.

Back to the Present

Emily blinked, snapping out of her thoughts as the news segment ended.

The screen shifted to another program, but she wasn’t paying attention anymore.

Her fingers were still lightly curled around the remote, but all she could think about was that night in New York.

The coffee. The laugh. The touch.

And the way Ryan had pushed it all away the very next day, as if it never happened.

Just like how, even now, they kept pretending their moments didn’t mean anything.

Emily exhaled sharply, tossing the remote onto the couch.

She needed to get him out of her head.

But how was she supposed to do that when he kept showing up in her life again and again?