Mariella checked the time on her phone for the sixth time. As if staring at the digits harder would convince them to give her a reason to breathe normally.
Almost noon.
Her stomach twisted. Not a cute ribbon. More like the hellish knot you get when you untangle Christmas lights and start questioning your whole life.
She stepped out of Evidence and headed down the steps when a familiar Audi slid into view in front of UE.
Paul.
Of course today.Of course at lunchtime.Of course when every law student and their soul was spilling out of the building like ants who just found granulated sugar.
He parked like the street belonged to him. Like the city was a toy set. Like time itself gave him right of way.
He had that quiet-ruler energy again. Calm. Composed. Unbothered in a way that felt expe
