Chapter Four
1262 Words
Two weeks went by after the charity gala, and life seemed to return to a pattern.
Andrew focused on growing Lawson Global Holdings in Europe. People from London and Paris were excited to work with him, and each meeting ended with another agreement signed. Papers wrote about him as the billionaire who had business sense and real kindness.
At home, Andrew saw something
Kate had become quieter.
She still smiled.
She still kissed him goodnight every morning.
She still asked about his day.
There was a space in her eyes that had not been there before.
One night while they sat on the balcony of their house looking over Central Park, Andrew reached for her hand.
"You're working much," he said softly.
Kate smiled a little.
"I say the thing to myself."
"You haven't had a day off in months."
She laughed a little.
"You know lawyers don't believe in holidays."
"I married one so I know."
They both. For a moment everything felt okay again.
Andrew put an arm around her.
"When this case is done lets go away for a week. Just us two."
Kate put her head on his shoulder.
"I would like that."
She really meant it.
Somewhere in her heart, a quiet voice said life was getting more complicated than she wanted to accept.
---
The morning Kate arrived at her office before the sun came up.
Donald was already there.
He stood by the window, one hand holding a coffee and the other holding a pile of papers.
"You beat me here again," Kate said with a joke.
Donald smiled.
"I couldn't sleep."
"Worried?"
"A little."
Kate opened her bag. Spread some papers on the table.
"I found something."
Donald got serious.
"What is it?"
"The financial papers the people in charge are using."
She gave him a folder.
"They have been changed."
Donald's eyes got bigger.
"Are you sure?"
Kate nodded with confidence.
"The times don't match the records. Someone changed the files after they were stored."
For the first time since he was arrested, real hope came to Donald's face.
"You mean someone put me in trouble."
"Yes."
"Proving that will not be easy."
Donald leaned back.
"I knew I wasn't losing my mind."
Kate looked at him with belief.
"We will find the person who did this."
As they talked about the proof, neither of them saw how well they worked together.
Their talks went smoothly.
They finished each other's thoughts.
They challenged each other's ideas without being upset.
It was the kind of team that came from trust.
That scared Kate more than she wanted to say.
---
In the city, Victoria Hayes was getting ready for the event for her new high-end clothing collection.
The event would bring people, money people, and news people from all over the world.
Emily Carter, now Victoria's designer, came into the office holding some fabric samples.
"I finished the collection."
Victoria looked at each one carefully.
"They are amazing."
Emily smiled with relief.
"I hoped you would say that."
Victoria put a hand on her shoulder.
"You have become one of the best designers I have ever worked with."
Emily's eyes were full of thanks.
"You changed my life."
"No," Victoria said with warmth.
"You changed your life. I just believed in you."
Outside the building, a black car was parked across the street.
Victor Steele lowered his camera after taking another photo.
He had watched Victoria for three years.
He knew her times.
Her favorite places to eat.
Her charity work.
The roads she took.
Her security team.
Everything.
His obsession had become his life.
---
That day, Donald asked Kate to have lunch to thank her for finding the changed papers.
"I insist," he said.
"You deserve at least one good meal."
Kate paused.
"It wouldn't be proper."
"It's lunch."
She thought for a moment.
Then nodded.
"One hour."
They chose a place not too far from the court.
Away from reporters.
Away from people watching.
As they waited for their food, the talk moved away from work.
Donald smiled.
"I realized something."
"What?"
"I know a lot about your work."
Kate laughed.
"But not about you?"
"Exactly."
She took a sip of water.
"What would you like to know?"
"What made you become a lawyer?"
Kate thought for a moment.
"My father."
Donald waited.
"He was accused of fraud when I was sixteen."
"What happened?"
"He was innocent."
Her voice got softer.
"He couldn't afford a good lawyer."
Donald stayed quiet.
"He lost everything."
"Our home."
"Our money."
"His name."
Kate looked out the window.
"I promised myself that one day I would protect people who couldn't protect themselves."
Donald understood why she worked hard on every case.
"What about you?" Kate asked.
"Why business?"
Donald smiled.
"My mother."
"She believed education could change lives."
"It did."
"I built my company because I wanted to show that where you start doesn't decide where you end."
For a moment neither of them spoke.
There was comfort in the silence.
A comfort neither expected.
When lunch ended, Donald stood.
"Thank you."
Kate smiled.
"For lunch?"
"For listening."
She looked into his eyes for a second.
"You're welcome."
As they walked back. Saw the photographer across the street.
The camera snapped twice.
Then again.
---
That night Andrew came home with Kate's flowers.
White lilies.
He found her sitting alone in the library.
"You look tired."
She smiled.
"Long day."
Andrew gave her the flowers.
"I thought these might help."
Kate's eyes got softer.
"They are beautiful."
He sat next to her.
"Tell me about your day."
She paused.
Then she talked about the court.
She did not mention lunch.
Not because she thought it was wrong.
Because she was afraid of how it might sound.
It was the first time she had ever left something out when talking to her husband.
The silence felt heavy on her.
Andrew noticed her pause. Thought she was just tired.
He kissed her on the forehead.
"I am proud of you."
Kate forced a smile.
Those four words hurt her heart.
---
In the city, Victoria and Donald had dinner at home.
Victoria saw that Donald looked happier than he had in weeks.
"You look better."
"I think we are making progress."
"Kate found proof?"
Donald looked up, surprised.
"How did you know?"
Victoria smiled.
"Because you mentioned her three times since you came in."
Donald stopped.
"I didn't realize."
Victoria laughed.
"I was joking."
In her chest, a strange feeling came.
Not jealousy.
Instinct.
Something she could not explain yet.
---
Late at night, Victor Steele entered a warehouse on the edge of the city.
The place was dark except for one light hanging from the ceiling.
On one wall were photos.
Each one showed Victoria.
Some were new.
Others were from years ago.
Victor put another photo on the wall.
This one showed Victoria leaving the restaurant that day.
He stepped back. Smiled.
"So close..."
Then his face changed.
His eyes saw another photo.
Donald and Kate walking together after lunch.
Victor looked carefully.
A slow smile spread on his face.
"This "
he whispered,
"could be useful."
He took the photo. Put it in a folder.
For the time, his focus on Victoria now included the people around her.
Without knowing Kate and Donald had walked into a danger they did not understand.
Somewhere, in the dark, a man was already planning how to use their new friendship to break every life connected to Victoria Hayes.
The storm was not coming.
It had already started.
- Writer
