Chapter 45
MAX
It’s my first day back in the office and for the last hour, Louise has been bringing me up to speed.
Louise thrusts a divorce petition into my hands.
“Unfortunately, Erin called in sick this morning, and I’m afraid she can’t attend the first four-way settlement conference scheduled for today.
I’ve read through the documents—everything is straightforward, and all is being divided equally. No children.”
“That’s a first.” I place the paperwork on my desk.
“And if you leave now you’ll make it.” She checks the time on her watch.
I fucking hate being thrown in at the deep end. “But I haven’t read over the case.”
“I just told you; it’s a simple division of everything. And if needed, you can skim read it before the client arrives. Go on, shoo.”
“What? Now?” I check the time.
“You know what the traffic is like. If you leave now, you’ll have enough time to read through the case.”
“Where is it?”
“Howard Street.”
“I’d be quicker walking.” I could use some fresh air. My head is already full of information; it’s near to breaking point.
“Well, you had better get going then.” Louise pushes herself up to a standing position. “It’s good to have you back.”
“It’s good to be back.”
Having spent the last four weeks working out, binge-watching TV series, and doing little else besides a few tennis matches with my brothers, I’ve barely left my apartment. So, yeah, now that I’m back at work, at least I’ll have something to distract me.
It might only be four weeks since Paige ended things with us, but it feels like a lifetime.
I miss her. And Alfie.
I miss the sound of her laughter, that unexpected warmth I never thought she had, until she showed me the real her—a strong, passionate woman, full of love and unwavering strength, fiercely protective of her little boy.
When I saw her last week, I was excited to see her, eager to find a flicker of hope in the ruins I created. It was there, but I could tell she was doing everything she could to stop herself from asking me to stay.
Seeing her again was a cruel reminder of everything that had slipped away from me. I wanted to tell her how I felt, to somehow make her understand that despite everything, I wasn’t ready to let go.
As soon as the adoption went through, pushed by my brothers, who’ve been my rock through all this chaos, I knew that was the end of us, marking a definitive line. It was a bittersweet moment, and honestly, I don’t know what I would do without them. Without their support, I’d be completely lost.
Gathering my briefcase, I slide the case file inside, the snap of the lock clicking sharply in the quiet humdrum of the office.
“This is the address, the firm’s called Central District Family Law.” Louise hands me a neon-pink sticky note as I pass her desk. I pause, scanning the building number on Howard Street, fixing it in my mind before handing the note back.
Central District Family Law? I’ve never heard of them, and I usually know everyone in this field. They must be new. Small, maybe. I typically handle high-profile divorce cases, and this sounds like a more modest operation.
“See you after lunch.” I nod and wave her goodbye.
Time to focus. Time to throw myself into the first case and rediscover a part of myself through work again.
With purpose, I step out of the office and into the bright city lights, onto the busy sidewalk.
I pull on my sunglasses and feel the weight of the day ahead.
The warm San Francisco air brushes against my face as the city hums around me, but inside, I feel empty.
Without her in my life, everything has lost its meaning.
I can’t even remember who I was before she came along.
With time, my brothers say, I’ll get over her.
But how long does heartbreak really last?
Every tick of the clock feels like it’s stabbing my heart.
And there is nothing I can do to dull the pain, each day blending into a blur of painful memories and a future that no longer exists with her and Alfie.
The ache often catches me off guard, like right now—the weight of missing her is crushing me, and I don’t know how much longer I can carry it the way I have.
Finally, after walking up and down the street several times, I step through the entrance of a building I don’t think I’m supposed to be in. The sign above the door says Golden Glow Health, so I am definitely not in the right place, but the number is correct.
Confused, I push my sunglasses on top of my head and wait for the receptionist to finish her call.
“Good morning, sir,” she greets me when she finishes.
“Morning. I think I’m in the wrong place.” My eyes flick back up to the sign above reception. Yup, I must have memorized the wrong building number, something I never do. Typical.
“Is there a law firm nearby? Central District Family Law?”
“You’re in the right building, sir. Central District Family Law is on the fourth floor. They haven’t put up the sign yet.”
Relief rushes through me. “I thought I was going crazy.”
“No, sir. If you take the elevator to the fourth floor then it’s conference room two, second room on the right. Your client has already arrived.”
“Thank you.” I’m in the elevator and on the fourth floor within minutes.
Pushing open the door to conference room two, I’m greeted by Erin’s client. “Mr. Parker?” I ask. Having never met him before, I have no idea what he looks like.
“Yes.” The jolly man stands up to greet me, puzzlement lining his brow as he shakes my hand.
“Unfortunately, Mrs. Springs is unable to make it today due to illness. I’m Max Hart.
I’ll be representing you at today’s meeting on behalf of Hart Law.
” I check the time on the wall clock and curse inwardly.
Having spent too many minutes looking for a sign with the words Central District Family Law on it, I lost the time I needed to read the case notes before today’s meeting. I’m winging it.
I walk around the table and take a seat next to Mr. Parker as two females walk through the door chatting happily with each other, and for a second, time stops. The ground seems to move beneath my feet.
It’s Paige.
Paige is here.
Today, she looks even more beautiful than my memory ever allowed me to believe.
Slowly, I rise to my feet, and for a moment that feels frozen in time, we lock eyes across the room.
As she stands before me, I soak in the warmth of her presence, grateful to exist in her orbit, if only for a fleeting second, because I can’t stay. I can’t be here.
Whatever cruel game the universe is playing with me today, I’m not in the mood to take part.
“Are you representing Mrs. Parker?” I ask her, my words slow and drawn out.
“Yes.” She looks as shocked as I am.
“Of Central District Family Law?” Is that who she’s working for now?
“It’s my firm.”
“Right.” I pick up my briefcase from the chair beside me. “I’m afraid, Mr. Parker, you’ll have to wait for Mrs. Springs to return. I can’t represent you today. Ms. Bradshaw, please coordinate with Mrs. Springs to reschedule this meeting.”
My eyes never leave Paige’s as I force out the words I never imagined I’d say.
“Why not?” Mr. Parker demands, clearly baffled.
“Because I’m in love with Ms. Bradshaw,” I say, my voice steady even though my heart pounds in my chest. “And that creates a conflict of interest.”
Paige’s pupils widen in shock at my confession. It’s the first time I’ve admitted the truth, even to myself, and I can see precisely why it would hit her like a tidal wave.
Eventually, I break our gaze and turn to Mr. Parker. “This is highly unorthodox, Mr. Parker, and on behalf of Hart Law, I sincerely apologize. You will not be billed for today, nor will your client, Ms. Bradshaw.”
Without waiting for a reply, I leave.
I told her I loved her and I have no regrets.