Chapter 41
MINJI
I turned down the Sheridan case. Now, two weeks after handing off every file, I stand in my empty office, my heart pounding with excitement for what comes next. My phone buzzes on the bare desk. It’s Aaron, right on time.
Aaron
Ready for lunch?
Followed by a string of food emojis that make me smile despite the strange melancholy of this moment.
I run my fingers along the edge of the desk.
For seven years, this space was my world.
Now it’s just glass and wood, cleared of the trophies and files that once made it mine.
I expected to feel sad or at least a little doubt, but instead, I feel surprisingly light. Relieved and excited for what’s ahead.
“Minji?”
I look up to find Jasmyn leaning against my doorframe, arms crossed over her chest. She surveys the empty office with a wistful smile.
“It feels smaller without all your intimidating legal pads and plaques,” she says.
“Less threatening to opposing counsel, you mean.”
She laughs. “The next associate will probably put up inspirational quotes and succulents. Completely ruin your legacy of terror.”
“Good. Let them make it their own.” I slide my visitor’s badge into my purse. I’m not an employee anymore, just here to make sure I didn’t leave anything behind. “Did you need something?”
“Just wanted to walk you out.” She hesitates. “And to tell you William’s already complaining about the Seoul office. Apparently, they sent him out last week to start bringing in clients, and he’s pissed the coffee machine is ‘subpar,’ and no one appreciates his bow ties.”
“Tragic,” I deadpan, but there’s no bite to it anymore. William feels like a problem from someone else’s life.
We walk together toward the elevator, past cubicles where paralegals pretend not to watch. Some nod, others whisper. I catch fragments—“own firm” and “poaching clients”—but none of it touches me now.
“Caleb’s still pissed, you know,” Jasmyn murmurs as we wait for the elevator. “I heard him tell Catherine you’d regret turning down Sheridan.”
“I doubt it.” The elevator arrives with a soft ding. “I already have three clients who followed me, and Demi’s cousin found us office space in Chelsea.”
Jasmyn grins. “Lee & Associates, huh?”
“Yeah, even though it’s me right now.” I step into the elevator and turn to face her. “Speaking of which, when you’re ready to jump ship…”
“You’ll be my first call,” she promises, holding the door. “Though I expect a corner office and no working on the weekends.”
“We’ll negotiate.” I smile as the doors begin to close. “Lunch next week?”
“You’re buying, Boss Lady!”
Then I’m alone in the elevator, riding down forty-seven floors for the last time as an associate at Parras Law.
By the time I reach the lobby, I’m practically floating.
Outside, October sunshine covers the city in golden light, but it’s fucking cold. I check my phone again and grin at Aaron’s message.
Aaron
I’m double-parked by a hydrant.
Me
I swear you love getting tickets.
Aaron
You’re worth every one.
I see him right away, leaning against his car like he’s stepped out of one of his own book covers. His charcoal peacoat makes his shoulders look broader, and the wind has messed up his curls in a way I love. As soon as he sees me, his whole face lights up.
“There she is,” he says, opening his arms. “The newest legal powerhouse of Manhattan.”
I fall into his embrace, breathing in his familiar scent of sandalwood and coffee. “Look at you, all dressed up to celebrate my unemployment.”
“Not unemployment. Independence.” He corrects me.
I pull back to look at him, still amazed that this wonderful, talented man, who could be with anyone, chose me. Even with my rough edges and trust issues, he stayed and fought for us.
“What?” he asks, noticing my stare.
“Nothing. Just… Thank you. For being here. For everything.”
His smile turns mischievous. “Does this mean I get to be the trophy husband when you’re running your legal empire?”
“Bold of you to assume I’d make an honest man out of you,” I tease, but my heart skips at the word ‘husband.’ It doesn’t terrify me the way it once would have.
Aaron opens the passenger door with a flourish. “Your chariot awaits, Counselor.”
Once we’re both inside, Aaron shifts his body to face me. “So? How does it feel to be free?”
“Weird,” I admit. “Good-weird, but still weird. It’s like I’ve been wearing shoes that were too tight for years, and I finally took them off.” I wiggle my toes in my actual shoes for emphasis. “I keep waiting for the panic to hit.”
“And has it?”
“No.” I smile, surprised by my own certainty. “I thought I’d be more scared, but it feels… right. Like I’m finally doing what I should have done years ago.”
He reaches across the console to take my hand, his thumb tracing circles on my palm. “I’m proud of you, Minji. Taking this leap couldn’t have been easy.”
“It wasn’t. But having you believe in me made it possible.” The words feel vulnerable in my mouth, but I’m learning to say them anyway.
“Well, I have something that might make it even more worth it.” He reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a small envelope. “I was going to save this for lunch, but I can’t wait.”
“What’s this?” I take the envelope, intrigued by his barely contained excitement.
“Open it.”
Inside are two confirmation printouts for plane tickets to Seoul, dated for next month. I look up at him, confused. “Aaron, what—”
“Before you overthink it, it’s not about your job or lack thereof. Axel is looking at property out there for his Asian headquarters and asked me to tag along, so I’m bringing you with me. Unless you don’t want to come?” he finishes, searching my face for a reaction.
My heart skips in my chest. Seoul. I could go home and see my mother, and someone else is paying for it.
“When did you plan all this?” I ask, running my finger along the edge of the ticket.
“I knew about the trip for a while, but after you told me about missing your trip with your mom, I figured this might be the perfect time. We can celebrate your new beginning, see your family, and you can show me where you come from.” He shrugs, trying to look casual, but I can see the hope flickering in his eyes.
“Plus, my Korean is terrible. I need a translator who won’t laugh at me too much. ”
“I’ll definitely laugh at you,” I warn, but I’m already smiling. “A lot.”
“I’m counting on it.”
I stare at the paper, feeling warmth spread in my chest. The idea of walking through Seoul with Aaron, introducing him to my grandmother and mother, showing him the city that shaped me, just feels right in a way I can’t explain.
“Yes. I’d love to go.”
His smile could power the entire Manhattan grid. “Really? No pros and cons list? No spreadsheet analyzing the optimal timing?”
“Don’t push it,” I warn, but I’m laughing. “I can still change my mind.”
He starts the car, still grinning. “No take-backs. It’s already in the calendar.”
As we join the traffic, I look back at the glass tower of Parras Law. I spent seven years climbing that mountain, only to find the top wasn’t what I wanted. The anxious voice I expected, the one that always tells me I’ve made a mistake, is quiet for once.
“So where are we going for lunch?” I ask, tucking the tickets carefully into my purse.
“That’s another surprise. But I will say it involves champagne and possibly embarrassing speeches from Demi.”
“Oh no, please tell me you didn’t.”
“I did. She threatened bodily harm if she wasn’t invited to celebrate your jailbreak. Her words, not mine.” He glances over. “Everyone is very proud of you, Honeybee.”
Something tightens in my throat. “They shouldn’t be. I just quit my job.”
“You didn’t just quit a job,” Aaron corrects me gently. “You chose yourself. Do you know how rare that is? Most people spend their whole lives following the path of least resistance.”
I look out the window as we navigate through the city streets, taking in the familiar skyline with new eyes. “Is it stupid that I feel both terrified and exhilarated at the same time?” I ask.
Aaron catches my hand again and squeezes it. “That’s how you know you’re doing something right. The best decisions usually feel that way.”
“When did you get so wise?” I tease, but there’s truth behind my question.
“I write about people making life-altering choices for a living, remember? I’m basically a professional at watching characters jump into the unknown.
” His eyes remain on the road, but his smile is just for me.
“Though I have to say, you’re handling this better than my protagonist in Midnight Memories.
She had a full breakdown in chapter twelve. ”
“The day is still young,” I warn him, though I don’t actually feel like I’m on the verge of a breakdown. Instead, there’s this strange lightness in my chest, as if I’ve set down a burden I didn’t realize I was carrying.
We pull up outside Riley’s Bar, and I immediately recognize Demi’s car parked haphazardly near the entrance.
“Riley’s? Really?” I raise an eyebrow at Aaron. “This is your idea of a celebration venue?”
“What better place to toast new beginnings than where we had our very first date back in college?” He winks, looking absurdly pleased with himself. “Plus, they make those loaded potato skins you pretend not to love.”
“I don’t pretend—” I start to protest, but he’s already out of the car and coming around to my door.
When we step inside, the familiar amber glow of the bar washes over me. The scent of wood polish and comfort food wraps around us like a welcome. But instead of the usual quiet afternoon atmosphere, there’s a burst of cheers from the back corner.
“SURPRISE!”
Demi rushes forward first, nearly tackling me in a hug that smells like greenhouse herbs and expensive perfume. Behind her, I spot Eliza, Cindy, Aaron’s brothers, and, unexpectedly, Jasmyn, who must have taken a different elevator down and somehow beaten us here.
“You sneaky bastard,” I whisper to Aaron, who just shrugs innocently.