Chapter Two: Understanding Is A Must
953 Words
By eight the next morning, Hailey's face was already on the television in the firm's lobby.
She stopped walking.
The screen showed footage from the courthouse.
Her own voice played faintly through the speakers.
The court doesn't run on sorry. It runs on proof.
Hailey winced.
She hated hearing herself.
“Good morning, Miss Stonnes.”
Anna, the receptionist, was practically glowing.
“You're famous.”
Hailey glanced at the screen again.
“The firm is.”
Anna laughed.
“No. You.”
Hailey smiled, but the compliment sat strangely on her.
She walked toward the elevator before Anna could say anything else.
Inside, she pressed the button for her floor and leaned her head briefly against the cool metal wall.
The doors closed.
For the first time since yesterday's verdict, she allowed herself to feel tired.
It lasted three seconds.
The elevator opened.
The office was already buzzing.
People looked up when she walked in.
Someone applauded.
“There's our courtroom miracle.”
Hailey laughed.
“Please don't start.”
Richard stepped out of the conference room.
“That wouldn't have happened without Miss Stonnes.”
The room quietened.
Hailey looked at him.
He wasn't smiling.
He didn't need to.
He simply meant it.
“You earned it,” he added.
Her throat tightened.
It was strange how three words from her father could still make her feel ten years old.
She looked down before anyone could see too much.
“Thank you.”
Richard nodded and returned to the meeting.
Hailey followed.
For once, the praise felt good.
She let herself enjoy it.
Just a little.
Then Emma appeared.
Two coffees in one hand.
A thick file in the other.
And panic written all over her face.
Hailey's smile faded.
“What's wrong?”
Emma placed the file on her desk.
“I ran out of time.”
Hailey stared at the mountain of papers.
“How?”
“I thought I had another day.”
“You didn't.”
“I know.”
Emma's voice became smaller.
“You always explain these things better than I do.”
Hailey closed her eyes.
There it was.
That familiar pull.
She looked at the file again.
Four hundred pages.
Her stomach sank.
“I should say no.”
Emma's face fell.
Hailey sighed.
“But I won't.”
Emma's entire expression changed.
“You're the best.”
“You said that last time.”
“And I meant it last time too.”
“You're going to owe me.”
“I know.”
Emma hugged her.
Hailey hugged her back.
And for a moment, there was no resentment.
Only love.
That was what made it difficult.
Emma wasn't cruel.
She wasn't deliberately taking advantage of her.
She simply knew Hailey would help.
Because Hailey always did.
“You have your deposition this afternoon,” Hailey reminded her.
“I know.”
“Then go prepare.”
Emma hesitated.
“You're not angry?”
Hailey looked at her.
“No.”
Emma smiled.
“Best sister.”
She disappeared through the door.
Hailey watched her leave.
Then she looked down at the file.
Her smile disappeared.
---
By noon, the office had emptied.
Hailey was still reading.
Page after page.
Her coffee had gone cold.
Her phone had vibrated several times, but she ignored it.
She knew what the messages would say.
Dinner tonight.
A celebration.
Probably something Margaret had planned.
It was supposed to be for her.
For the case she'd won.
The thought should have made her happy.
Instead, she looked at the stack of papers Emma had left behind.
A tiny thread of resentment pulled somewhere beneath her ribs.
It surprised her.
She hated it immediately.
Don't be that person.
She turned another page.
Her eyes burned.
She rubbed them and kept reading.
Emma had trusted her.
That mattered.
Family mattered.
Didn't it?
Hailey glanced at the clock.
Four hours until dinner.
She could finish.
She always finished.
---
That evening, Emma called.
“Are you coming?”
Hailey looked at the file.
“I'll try.”
“You can't miss your own celebration.”
“I said I'll try.”
“You've been working all day.”
“So have you.”
“Not because I wanted to.”
Hailey smiled faintly.
“Go home, Emma.”
“You're impossible.”
“I've been told.”
The call ended.
Hailey sat in silence.
The office windows reflected her back at her.
Perfect suit.
Perfect hair.
Perfect posture.
She looked exactly like the woman everyone believed she was.
Confident.
Successful.
Untouchable.
She looked down at the file.
Then at the invitation lying beside it.
Celebrating Hailey Stonnes.
Her name was printed in elegant gold letters.
She stared at it.
Then quietly turned the invitation face down.
It was nearly midnight when Hailey finally closed the file.
Her shoulders ached.
Her eyes burned.
She leaned back in her chair and shut them.
For one moment, she allowed herself to think the thought she had been refusing all evening.
I'm tired.
Not tired from work.
Tired of being the person everyone came to when something needed fixing.
Tired of being dependable.
Tired of always understanding.
But the thought barely survived before another one replaced it.
Emma needed me.
Hailey opened her eyes.
That was enough.
It had to be.
She gathered the papers and stood.
Outside, the city glittered beneath the darkness.
Somewhere across town, Damien Ashford was looking at the same city.
And on his desk sat a second folder.
This one was thicker.
He opened it.
The first page contained a photograph of Hailey.
Underneath it were three words:
Stonnes Family Records.
His expression changed.
Only slightly.
But enough.
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