~Abigail's POV~
The sharp crack of the gavel echoes through the courtroom, followed by Judge Malcom's firm voice.
"Case dismissed."
A smile curves my lips, triumph rushing through my veins until I can almost taste it. Victory. Sweet, undeniable victory.
The room erupts in noise. My client, Trevor Kendal, practically buzzes with excitement, flashing me a grin before turning to his brother, who rushes over to congratulate him.
I calmly gather my files and slip them into my bag, deliberately letting my gaze meet that of the opposing counsel. He trembles, his face taut with tension as he shoves papers into his briefcase. His movement shifts just enough for me to see the man seated beside him watching me with unflinching emerald eyes, hard as stone and blazing with displeasure.
Darius Rassais.
His imposing frame fills a burgundy three-piece suit, his jet-black, chin-length hair perfectly in place. He rises slowly from his chair, holding my gaze with a glare sharp enough to cut steel.
And yet I feel no fear. Only satisfaction. Pure, intoxicating satisfaction at watching the man who owns half the city lose to me.
Perfect. Just perfect.
I break eye contact with him, moving out of the space and striding out of the courtroom, my heels clicking on the polished floor daring him to stop me. He doesn't. That only makes the smile on my lips grow wider.
My work here is done. I just won my biggest case yet against one of the most powerful men in the world.
The moment I step outside, the press swarms me, cameras flashing, microphones thrust forward.
"Miss Nakamura, how does it feel to defeat Darius Rassais in court?"
"Do you think he'll appeal?"
"Were you intimidated by him?"
"No comment," I reply with my lawyer's smile.
Thankfully, security arrives just in time to push them back as I make my way to my car. I slip inside and sink against the seat with a deep sigh.
"Ugh. I feel so high," I groan, pulling out my phone to text my fiancé, Liam.
[Me: Hey baby, I'm done and dusted. Are we still having dinner tonight?]
His reply comes almost instantly. [I just saw the news, baby. God, you're amazing! And yes, dinner is still on tonight.]
A blush warms my cheeks as I glance at the engagement ring on my finger. For the first time, it feels like my life is truly moving forward. This case is over, I just earned a fortune, and soon, I'll finally be married.
I text Liam that I'll message him again once I'm at the hotel. But first, I need to go home.
The thought alone makes my smile vanish. I start the car with a small frown only to freeze at the sound of a frantic knock on my window. My eyes widen when I see Trevor, bright and beaming, standing there.
Quickly, I cut the engine and step out. "Trevor? What's going on?"
He laughs. "I should be asking you that, Abigail. You saved my life and you're just leaving like this? We're going to celebrate. My family wants to meet the woman who helped us escape this lawsuit."
I give him a smile. Trevor's a genuinely nice guy, but I'm not the type to form emotional connections with my clients and he knows that. Maybe that's why he's trying so hard now, after I just helped him save his entire family from bankruptcy.
Still… it wouldn't hurt to celebrate with them.
I'm about to agree when my phone buzzes in my hand. My throat goes dry as I see the name on the screen. My father. I force a small smile at Trevor.
"How about tomorrow? I promise."
He nods, backing away with an easy grin. "Okay then. The remaining balance will be wired to you tonight."
I wave him off, answer the call, and slip back into my car.
"Father?" My voice is tight.
"I see you've won the case." His voice comes through, thick and sharp. I stay silent.
"Are you coming home?"
"Yes," I breathe.
"Good. Hurry. I need you here in less than an hour or else you know what will happen."
Of course he's threatening me. My grip tightens around the phone.
"Yes, sir," I whisper before hanging up. I toss the phone into my bag and start the engine.
The moment I drive out of the lot, a black car suddenly swerves in front of me, blocking my path. My body jerks forward as I slam the brakes, barely avoiding a collision.
With my heart pounding, I glare at the car in disbelief, shove the window down, and yell, "Hey! Watch where you're driving!"
It just sits there, sleek and black, its windows tinted so dark I can't see the driver. My teeth grind as I swerve sharply around it and speed out of the compound, refusing to look back.
I don't waste time getting back home. The mansion draws near, the same place that carved my childhood into a nightmare of terrified screams, gunshots, and merciless beatings.
Yes. The cliché abusive mob boss father.
I park, and the guards at the entrance pull the doors open for me. Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I ignore them as they trail behind me into the house. My steps carry me upstairs, straight toward my father's study.
The door is usually closed, but this evening it's wide open. He's there... brooding, his tattooed skin stretching from his bald head down his visible arms, seated in his chair, staring at me.
Something's wrong. I feel it in my bones. But I can't run. The guards are right behind me, and I know they're armed. So I gather myself, force down the panic clawing at my chest, and step into the study, which reeks of vape smoke curling in the dim air.
"Close the door," my father, Taro Nakamura, growls.
I glance back at the guards lingering outside and slowly shut the door, sealing myself in. My hand clenches the handle tightly for a moment, trying to calm myself, before I turn to face him.
"Did… did something happen, Father?"
He says nothing, just fixes me with that familiar look of cold distaste. My chest tightens, and I manage a weak, strained, "Dad?"
"Sit down," he rasps.
I stiffen, then force my legs to move. At his desk, a contract lies open in front of him. As I lower myself into the chair, he slides it toward me.
My fingers shake as I grab it, flipping the pages. "What is this?"
It only takes a glance for the blood in my veins to turn to ice. A marriage contract. My name sits there, waiting, above a blank signature line.
"Dad!" The word rips from me, my voice cracking at the edges as I look up at him, my lungs screaming for air.
His eyes narrow, dark and merciless. "Keep reading." He shoves a pen toward me. "And fucking sign it."
I tremble violently, screaming inside my head as my gaze drops back to the page. My eyes land on the groom's name...
Darius Rassais.
His signature is already there. Signed. Sealed. Irreversible.
And in that moment, my entire world burns to ash.