EllaA sharp jolt of realization pulled me out of my sleep. The luminescent glow of dawn was already seeping through the window blinds. How long had we been asleep?Frantic, I scrambled upright, inadvertently knocking a few papers off the cluttered desk.“Logan!” I shook his shoulder, urgency lacing my voice. “Wake up. We overslept!”His eyelids fluttered open, his usually sharp eyes clouded with confusion. “Ella? What time is it?”My fingers flew to my wristwatch, and a gasp escaped my lips. “God, it’s nearly time for the court session! We have minutes, Logan, minutes!”His eyes widened as he registered the severity of the situation. “Damn,” he cursed, running a hand through his disheveled hair.“Come on!” I urged, grabbing my files and purse, doing my best to appear somewhat professional. Looking at my reflection in a nearby window, I grimaced at the mascara smudged under my eyes and the crease lines imprinted on my cheek from the papers.As Logan and I dashed through the halls of t
Ella“Objection, Your Honor!”The courtroom was thick with tension, so palpable that it felt like a heavy blanket draped over everyone present. The high ceilings held shadows of statues from times long past, the weight of justice and history pushing down. The golden chandeliers that hung from the ceilings almost seemed to be swaying slightly, their dull glow illuminating the wooden panels which lined the room, giving it an age-old grandeur.
EllaThe golden chandeliers of the courtroom seemed to dim as Judge Milton beckoned Mr. Westbrook and me to his private chambers.The anticipation was suffocating, every step echoing with a gravity that felt overwhelming. The grandeur of the courtroom gave way to the more intimate confines of Judge Milton’s chambers—a room steeped in history, with dark wooden panels, shelves lined with
EllaThe familiar glass and steel structure of my firm loomed large as I approached, trying to shake off the morning’s events. The legal world moved fast, and I hoped the afternoon would be a reprieve.Upon entering, I was met with a hubbub of chatter. Everywhere I looked, small clusters of my colleagues were in animated conversation, their gazes darting towards me with a mix of curiosity and
EllaSobs shook my body and tears blurred my vision as I cradled my chafed wrists, the ropes having left their brutal imprint.Each throb was a piercing reminder of the dark ordeal I had just survived. God, why did I take the subway tonight? Why didn’t I call an Uber, or even call Logan to take me home after the work party?
EllaThe evening shadows stretched long and dark across my apartment’s hardwood floor, a stark contrast to the flickering yellow street light outside that threw mottled patterns on the dark brick walls of my apartment.The fragrant scent of the lavender candle I always had lit hung in the air despite the fact that I hadn’t lit it yet today, but either way, its calming effects seemed los
EllaIn Logan’s embrace, the world felt distant. All the fears and anxieties seemed momentarily shrouded by the warmth of his presence.But as we separated, the weight of the spilled wine on the hardwood floor brought a sudden, albeit misplaced, urgency to the atmosphere. The dark liquid spread lazily between the shards of glass, forming an ominous pool that mirrored my tumultuous emotions.
EllaIn the dim lighting of my apartment, with the memory of spilt wine still fresh, Logan’s face wore an expression I hadn’t seen before—gentle persuasion edged with determination.“Ella,” he began, his voice hushed yet demanding attention, “I understand that trust has become a rare commodity for you. But remember when you asked me to trust you? I did. I told you about my mother. Now, I’m asking you to do the same.”