Chapter 7 - The Aftermath of the Gavel
The heavy oak doors of the courtroom swung shut behind them as Claire walked out into the marble hallway, feeling as though a twenty-ton weight had finally been lifted from her chest.
Richard Vance tipped his hat to her. “Well handled, Ms. Morgan. Mr. Cole has excellent taste in directors.”
“Thank you, Richard. I don't know how to thank you—or Ethan,” Claire said, her eyes shining with unshed tears of relief.
“Thank Mr. Cole by continuing to do your job brilliantly,” the lawyer smiled before striding toward the elevators.
Claire walked out onto the courthouse steps. The afternoon sun was bright, reflecting off the icy pavement of downtown Indianapolis. Waiting by the curb was a sleek black SUV. The rear door opened, and Ethan stepped out.
He didn't wear his overcoat today; he wore a charcoal blazer and a look of intense, quiet anticipation.
“How did it go?” Ethan asked as she approached.
“He lost,” Claire said, a breathless laugh escaping her lips. “Joint custody denied. Supervised visits only if he pays fourteen grand in back-child support and passes a drug test.”
Ethan let out a long breath, a genuine smile breaking across his face. “Good. That deadbeat won't bother you again.”
“Ethan… thank you,” Claire said, stopping right in front of him. The roar of downtown traffic faded into background noise. “You saved my daughter’s life with a bag of formula at midnight, and then you saved our entire world inside that courtroom.”
“I just gave you the tools,” Ethan said softly, stepping closer. “You’re the one who did the fighting.”
He reached out, his warm fingers gently brushing a stray lock of hair away from her face. Claire didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned into his touch, realizing with sudden, staggering clarity how deeply her life had intertwined with the man who had answered the wrong number.
“Are you hungry?” Ethan asked quietly. “I know a place that doesn't serve instant ramen.”
May you like
Claire smiled, her heart lighter than it had been in years. “Only if we’re back before Sophie wakes up from her nap.”
“Deal.”
