Emily
I didn’t even realize I’d been holding my breath until the message from my lawyer came through: MOTION GRANTED. Access to property archives approved.
Just like that, years of being ignored, dismissed, and strategically delayed began to crack open.
I stared at the text for a long moment, not sure whether I was relieved or just stunned. The victory wasn’t big enough to win anything on its own–but it was real. Tangible.
For the first time, the law had acknowledged that I might have a case worth hearing. That my mother’s estate was worth uncovering.
The office was quiet this time of day. Most of the staff had filtered cut for the evening or early dinners. I’d stayed late on purpose, mostly to avoid crossing paths with Logan again after what happened yesterday.
Or what didn’t happen, depending how one measured silence.
I leaned back in my chair, letting my eyes close for a second, just one, long enough to let it sink in. I haven’t won yet. But I’d pushed the door open.
And I wondered if sharing this news with Logan would boost or drop my mood.
A knock tapped twice on the doorframe.
The male in question stood there with a file in hand, the faintest shadow of tiredness under his eyes. He looked like someone who’d had a long day and wasn’t done yet. There was still a pen tucked behind his ear.
Logan paused when he saw me still at my desk. “Didn’t expect you to be here this late.”
I shrugged. “Didn’t feel like going home yet.”
He nodded once, stepping inside. “Just dropping this off. Forecast numbers from the southern supply chain.” He set the file gently at the edge of my desk, like he didn’t want to crowd me.
I didn’t know why I said it. Maybe because I was still too raw to keep it to myself. Maybe because a part of me wanted to share
with him.
“I got an update from my legal team,” I said, keeping my tone ever. “We won the motion for access. My mother’s records- land, titles, everything tied to her name–they’ll be released.”
He looked up. Just a flicker of something in his eyes, like a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding for me.
“That’s good news,” he said, slowly. “Really good.”
I nodded, more cautious than proud. “It’s a start.”
“You earned it.”
a little His words settled into my chest, warming it. It wasn’t what he said but how he said it–genuine, pleased, maybe e proud.
I forced myself to smile, just a little. “I wasn’t sure you’d think so.
His brow furrowed slightly. “Why not?”
I gave a noncommittal shrug. “Because it’s messy. Because it makes things public. Because I’m not exactly… easy to stand beside right now.”
“You’ve never been easy,” he said, and for a second I thought he was teasing. Then his voice softened. “But that doesn’t mean I’m not standing there anyway.”
The air between us tightened.
He reached for the file on the edge of the desk, his fingers brushing mine as he did. The contact was brief, almost accidental.
I didn’t move. Neither did he.
I looked up at him then, really looked. The faint crease between his brows. The subtle tension in his jaw. The way his gaze dropped to my mouth for just a fraction of a second before returning to my eyes.
I felt my breath hitch.
He stepped back first. “I’ll leave you to it,” he said, voice quieter now. I watched him go, my heart thudding a little too hard in my chest.
I’d gotten what I wanted today. A step forward. A small win.
And still, I couldn’t tell if the ache inside me was hope…or the echo of another almost between us.
