Legally Bound: Pregnant with my Rival's Baby

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The amber liquid swirled in my glass, a miniature whirlpool of expensive scotch that did little to calm the storm raging inside me. I stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows of my penthouse apartment, the New York skyline spread out before me like a glittering carpet of possibilities. Possibilities that suddenly felt just out of reach, thanks to one Sophia Chen.

I took a swig of the scotch, savoring the burn as it slid down my throat. The taste did nothing to wash away the bitter flavor of today's defeat. Because that's what it was, no matter how I tried to spin it. Sophia had outmaneuvered me, plain and simple.

The memory of her in that courtroom, all fire and brilliance, flashed through my mind. The way her eyes sparked with triumph when Judge Blackwood ruled in her favor. The slight upturn of her lips, not quite a smile but a promise of one. It was infuriating. It was... intoxicating.

I shook my head, trying to dislodge the image. This was ridiculous. Sophia Chen was the enemy, a thorn in my side, a obstacle to be overcome. She wasn't supposed to be haunting my thoughts like this.

The shrill ring of my phone cut through my brooding. I glanced at the caller ID and groaned. Mother. Perfect timing, as always.

"Hello, Mother," I answered, trying to keep the exasperation out of my voice.

"Derek, darling," Miranda Hawthorne's cultured tones filled the line. "I expected to hear from you hours ago. How did the hearing go?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose, steeling myself for the conversation ahead. "Not as well as we'd hoped. The judge ordered a 60-day investigation and mediation."

There was a pause, heavy with disappointment. "I see," she said finally. "And how did you let that happen?"

The question stung, as she no doubt intended it to. "I didn't 'let' anything happen, Mother," I snapped. "Sophia Chen came prepared with some compelling arguments, and the judge-"

"Sophia Chen?" My mother interrupted. "Isn't she that upstart from Zhang & Associates? The one you've mentioned before?"

I cursed inwardly. I should have known better than to bring up Sophia's name. "Yes, that's her. She's representing InnovaTech in this case."

"Hmm," my mother mused, and I could practically hear the wheels turning in her head. "And she bested you in court today?"

"She didn't 'best' me," I growled, downing the rest of my scotch. "It was a preliminary hearing. We have plenty of time to turn this around."

"Of course, darling," she said, in a tone that suggested she didn't believe me for a second. "You know, this Sophia sounds like quite the formidable young woman. Perhaps you should consider asking her out to dinner."

I nearly choked on air. "What? Mother, that's... that's completely inappropriate. She's opposing counsel!"

"Oh, pish posh," my mother dismissed. "Your father and I met when we were on opposite sides of a case, you know. There's nothing like a little professional rivalry to spice things up."

"Mother," I said through gritted teeth, "I am not going to ask Sophia Chen out. She's infuriating, stubborn, and completely frustrating."

"Sounds like a perfect match for you, dear," she chuckled. "Besides, it's high time you settled down. You're not getting any younger, you know."

And there it was. The real reason for this call. I should have known the case was just a pretext for another lecture about my personal life.

"I'm only 33, Mother," I sighed. "My career is my priority right now. I don't have time for-"

"For what, Derek? For a meaningful relationship? For starting a family? For carrying on the Hawthorne legacy?"

I winced at the sharpness in her tone. "That's not what I meant. I just... I haven't met the right person yet."

"And you won't if you keep burying yourself in work," she countered. "You need to put yourself out there. Meet new people. Give someone a chance to get to know the real you."

The real me. As if anyone wanted to know that person. The one behind the confident facade, the one who sometimes doubted, who sometimes felt the crushing weight of expectations. The one who couldn't stop thinking about a certain dark-eyed lawyer who saw right through his bullshit.

"I appreciate your concern, Mother," I said, trying to keep my voice level. "But my personal life is just that - personal. Can we please focus on the case?"

She sighed, a sound laden with years of maternal disappointment. "Very well. What's your strategy moving forward?"

I launched into an explanation of our plans for the investigation and mediation, grateful for the change of subject. As I talked, I found my mind drifting back to the courtroom, to Sophia's fierce determination and quick wit. The way she stood up to me, refusing to be intimidated. The fire in her eyes when she...

"Derek? Are you listening to me?"

I snapped back to attention, realizing I'd completely lost track of the conversation. "Sorry, Mother. It's been a long day. What were you saying?"

"I was saying that you need to be careful with this Sophia Chen. She sounds like she could be trouble."

You have no idea, I thought. "Don't worry, Mother. I can handle Sophia Chen."

"I'm sure you can, darling," she said, her tone suggesting she wasn't sure at all. "Just remember, there's more to life than winning cases. Don't let this one consume you."

As if I had a choice. Sophia Chen had already consumed my thoughts in a way no opponent ever had before. But that was something my mother definitely didn't need to know.

"I won't, Mother," I assured her. "I have to go now. I'll keep you updated on the case."

After exchanging goodbyes, I hung up and tossed my phone onto the nearby couch. I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the tension headache building behind my eyes.

Family expectations. Professional setbacks. And Sophia Chen, a complication I hadn't anticipated and didn't know how to handle.

I walked to the bar, pouring myself another scotch. As I sipped it, I found myself drawn back to the windows, to the city sprawled out below. Somewhere out there, Sophia was probably celebrating her victory. The thought made me clench my jaw.

But even as frustration coursed through me, I couldn't deny the thrill of anticipation. This case was far from over. We'd be facing off again soon, in mediation and beyond. The thought of going toe-to-toe with Sophia again, matching wits and trading barbs, sent a rush of adrenaline through me.

I raised my glass in a mock toast to the city. "Game on, Sophia," I murmured. "You may have won this round, but the war is far from over."

As I turned away from the window, my phone buzzed with a text. It was from an unknown number, but I knew instantly who it was from:

"Hope you're not drowning your sorrows too much, Hawthorne. Save some fight for mediation. - SC"

I stared at the message, a mix of emotions swirling through me. Anger at her presumption. Admiration for her audacity. And something else, something that made my pulse quicken and my mouth go dry.

Before I could overthink it, I typed out a reply:

"Worry about yourself, Chen. You'll need all the prep you can get. See you in the ring."

I hit send before I could change my mind, then tossed the phone aside again. What was I doing? This wasn't just a game. This was my career, my reputation on the line. I couldn't afford to let Sophia Chen get in my head like this.

And yet, as I drained the last of my scotch, I couldn't shake the image of her from my mind. The challenge in her eyes, the fire in her voice. The way she stood up to me like no one else ever had.

I groaned, running a hand over my face. This case was going to be the death of me. Or worse, it might just be the making of me. Either way, I was in for one hell of a ride.

As I headed to bed, I made a silent vow. I would win this case. I would prove to everyone - my mother, the firm, and especially Sophia Chen - that I was the best damn lawyer in this city. And if that meant going up against the most infuriating, brilliant, maddeningly attractive woman I'd ever met... well, so be it.

Game on, indeed.