Chapter 4

The marble floors of the courthouse lobby echoed with purposeful footsteps as I made my way toward the elevators. My briefcase felt heavier than usual, weighted with not just legal documents but the growing sense that something was terribly wrong with my practice.

"Mrs. Pierce!" A familiar voice called out, carrying across the bustling lobby.

I turned to see Marcus Reid approaching, his smile too wide for mere courtesy. Marcus had been opposing counsel on three of my cases last year—all won by me. Now he was flanked by two junior attorneys, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and barely…