Chapter 18
1227 Words
Chapter 18
The hushed voices drifted from the break room, pulling me from my thoughts as I approached. I recognized the speakers – Johnson and Reeves, two junior associates who'd been working on the MegaCorp case with me.
"I'm telling you, man, Chen is a f*****g shark," Johnson was saying, his voice laced with a mixture of admiration and disdain. "Did you see how she tore into Hawthorne in that last meeting? I thought she was going to draw blood."
Reeves chuckled, a harsh sound that grated on my nerves. "Yeah, well, that's why they call her the Ice Queen, right? I heard she once made a witness cry on the stand just by looking at him."
I felt my jaw clench, an unexpected surge of anger rising in my chest.
"You know what I think?" Johnson continued, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I think she's compensating for something. No woman gets that far in this business without... you know."
Reeves snorted. "What, you think she slept her way to the top? Nah, man. Chen's too frigid for that. I bet she's never even-"
I couldn't take it anymore. Without conscious thought, I found myself striding into the break room, my presence silencing the two men mid-conversation.
"Gentlemen," I said, my voice dangerously calm. "I couldn't help but overhear your... enlightening discussion about Ms. Chen."
Johnson and Reeves exchanged nervous glances, clearly aware they'd been caught. "Mr. Hawthorne," Johnson started, "we were just-"
"Just what?" I interrupted, fixing them with a steely glare. "Just engaging in baseless speculation about a respected colleague? Just perpetuating harmful stereotypes about successful women in our profession?"
The two men had the grace to look ashamed, but I wasn't finished. "Let me make something very clear. Sophia Chen is one of the most brilliant, dedicated lawyers I've ever had the pleasure of facing in court. Her success is due entirely to her own merit, and I won't tolerate any suggestions to the contrary. Is that understood?"
Johnson and Reeves nodded mutely, their faces pale. "Yes, sir," they mumbled in unison.
"Good," I said, my voice clipped. "Now, I suggest you both get back to work. We have a case to win, after all."
As they scurried out of the break room, I leaned against the counter, suddenly feeling drained. What the hell had just happened? Since when did I leap to Sophia Chen's defense?
The answer, of course, was obvious. Since she'd told me she was carrying my child. Since I'd seen her vulnerability, her strength, her determination to face this unexpected challenge head-on. Since I'd started to see her as more than just my rival, but as a woman. A remarkable, infuriating, utterly captivating woman.
"s**t," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. This was not good. Not good at all.
I pulled out my phone, staring at Sophia's contact info. Before I could talk myself out of it, I typed out a quick message:
"Hey. Just checking in. How are you feeling about tonight?"
Her response came faster than I expected:
"Nervous. Excited. Terrified. Take your pick."
I couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips. Even in text, her dry wit shone through.
"All of the above?" I replied. "Don't worry. I've got your back."
There was a pause before her next message appeared:
"Thanks, Derek. That... means a lot."
I stared at the words, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. When had things shifted between us? When had we gone from bitter rivals to... whatever this was?
A knock at my office door startled me out of my reverie. I looked up to see James leaning against the doorframe, a knowing smirk on his face.
"What's got you grinning at your phone like a lovesick teenager?" he asked, sauntering into the room.
I quickly pocketed my phone, schooling my features into a neutral expression. "Nothing. Just... case stuff."
James raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Uh-huh. And does this 'case stuff' have anything to do with a certain pregnant opposing counsel?"
I felt heat rise to my cheeks, cursing my brother's perceptiveness. "I don't know what you're talking about," I muttered, shuffling papers on my desk in a poor attempt at looking busy.
James chuckled, dropping into the chair across from me. "Oh, come on, Derek. I've known you your whole life. I can tell when you're falling for someone."
"Falling for-" I spluttered, indignation rising. "I am not falling for Sophia Chen. We're having a child together, that's all. It's a... a biological imperative to care about her well-being."
"Right," James drawled, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "And I'm sure that 'biological imperative' is why you nearly bit the heads off two junior associates for gossiping about her."
I froze, staring at my brother in shock. "How did you-"
"Word travels fast," James shrugged. "Especially when the great Derek Hawthorne does something unexpected. Like defending the woman he's supposedly trying to defeat in court."
I slumped back in my chair, suddenly feeling exhausted. "It's complicated, James."
His expression softened, the teasing glint in his eyes replaced by genuine concern. "I know it is, bro. But maybe it doesn't have to be. Maybe you should just... let yourself feel what you're feeling."
I shook my head, frustration welling up inside me. "It's not that simple. We're on opposite sides of a major case. Our entire relationship has been built on competition and rivalry. How are we supposed to just... switch that off?"
James leaned forward, his gaze intense. "Who says you have to switch it off? Maybe that passion, that fire between you two, is exactly what makes this work. You've always brought out the best in each other professionally. Who's to say you can't do the same personally?"
His words hit me like a physical blow, forcing me to confront feelings I'd been trying desperately to ignore. The way my heart raced when Sophia entered a room. The pride I felt watching her argue her points with fierce determination. The tenderness that welled up inside me at the thought of her carrying our child.
"I don't know how to do this, James," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know how to be... vulnerable with her. How to be anything other than her rival."
James reached across the desk, squeezing my shoulder. "You start by being honest. With her, and with yourself. Tonight, at dinner with Mom? That's your chance. Show Sophia the real Derek Hawthorne. Not the courtroom shark, not the polished corporate lawyer. Just... you."
I glared at James, frustrated and annoyed but I knew he was probably. Probably. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Just get off my back about it, okay?" I sighed deeply, running a hand through my hair. "I'll work on it. Being honest with her, showing her the real me... I'll get there."
James gave me a reassuring pat on the shoulder, his eyes full of understanding. "I know it's not easy, Derek. But it’s the only way. Just take it one step at a time."
I nod slowly, still feeling the weight of James's words. "Alright, I'll give it a shot. But don’t expect miracles.”
James chuckled, his grip on my shoulder firm but encouraging. "I’m not expecting miracles. Just a bit of honesty. That’s all anyone can ask for."
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