Chatper 313


    Chapter 313 Stony Eyed


    E


    The closeness was stifling. The proximity of our bodies, the heat radiating from Logan, the intensity of


    his gaze-it was all too much.


    The moment we stepped away from each other, a fresh wave of cool air seemed to sweep through the


    dimly lit stairwell. I could feel the flush on my cheeks, a stinging reminder of just how close we had


    been.


    I swiftly adjusted my zer, using the action as a pretext to collect my thoughts. ncing at Logan, I


    shot him a dirty look.


    “Logan, if you ever get that close to me again, trying to use your body to intimidate me or whatever it


    was you were doing, I swear, I’ll rip our contract to shreds and refuse to work with you again.”


    He raised a brow, his features sculpted, his piercing eyes still locked onto mine. “Intimidate you? E, I


    wasn’t trying to intimidate you.”


    I scoffed. “Oh, please! What would you call it then?”


    He took a deep breath, his jaw clenching as he searched for words. “I can’t help it, E. I’m an Alpha.


    It’s… it’s instinctual. And you,” he paused, his voice turning husky, “you’re attractive. And you’re my


    fated mate. Sorry if sometimes my wolf wants to get closer to you, especially when you’re being fiery


    like this.”


    I blinked, taken aback. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air. “Fiery? Come on, Logan. Grow


    up. We have to be professional.”


    He let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. “Sorry. I do try to control myself.”


    Rolling my eyes, I retorted, “Well, then try harder. We’re in a courthouse, not a bar.”


    He seemed a bit put off, his eyes shing with annoyance. “I’m well aware we’re not in a bar, E. “If


    that’s the case,” I began, narrowing my eyes, “then maybe it’s time you acted like it.”


    He stared at me for a moment, the tension palpable. Then, letting out a sigh of resignation, he nodded.


    “Alright, point taken.”


    Taking a deep breath, I turned towards the door. Thest thing we needed was to be discovered in the


    stairwell, causing even more of a scene. “Come on. We’d better get moving before we start getting


    strange looks.”


    The frenzied atmosphere of the courtroom had spilled into the adjoining hallway, wherewyers spoke


    fervently, families huddled together for support, and the dim fluorescent lights illuminated the sorrow


    and strain etched onto many faces. The ornate marble tiles reflected the soft glow of the overhead


    lights, creating a sharp contrast to the heavy emotions circting in the air.


    As Logan and I stepped out, a cool draft caressed my face, offering temporary respite from the


    oppressive heat of the courtroom.


    But the relief was short-lived. As we walked, I was keenly aware of his presence beside me, the weight


    of his indifference about the case pressing down on me like a heavy shroud. The murmurs and


    whispered exchanges around us seemed distant, but one particr conversation caught my attention


    and tethered me to the immediate surroundings.


    Just a few steps ahead, Miss Smith-the distraught mother who had given her tearful testimony earlier-


    stood with herwyer. From my vantage point, I could see the red rims of her eyes, the way her fingers


    clutched her handbag, as if it were a lifeline.


    “I’m so sorry, Miss Smith,” herwyer began, a touch of genuine regret in his voice. He adjusted his


    sses, the reflection briefly hiding his eyes. “It doesn’t seem that he’s going to relent on this case.”


    She shook her head, strands of her brown hair falling into her face. “But my child… he will die without


    proper care. Can’t he see that? We’ve already been through so much. How can he be so… so cruel?”


    Her voice was soft, the wordsing out in tremulous whispers. But they pierced the background


    noise, each syble hitting me like a gut punch. This wasn’t what I wanted. I should have been on the


    side helping people like Miss Smith, not on the indifferent mobster’s side.


    Thewyer heaved a sigh, his shoulders slumping as he replied, “I’ve tried everything. Mrs. Smith. I


    genuinely wish there was something more I could do.”


    Around them, the world continued its incessant hum. Lawyers flipping through files, the faint rustling of


    papers, and the distant sound of a gavel banging. But for me, everything narrowed down to that tiny


    bubble of space where Mrs. Smith and herwyer stood.


    Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Logan. I searched his face for a hint of remorse, guilt, or even


    understanding. But there was nothing. His features remained as stoic as ever. It felt like a p across


    my face, the sting of his apathy rendering me momentarily breathless. I turned to him, my eyes cold


    and voice barely above a whisper. “Did you hear that, Logan?”


    He nced at me, a hint of annoyance shing across his face. “Yes, I did.”


    “And?” I pressed, my heart pounding against my ribcage. “What do you think?” He paused, then let out


    a long breath, clearly irked by my questioning. “E, this is business. It’s not about personal feelings.”


    I stared at him, the sound of my own heartbeat deafening in my ears. “To you, maybe. But for her and


    her son, it’s about life and death. Can’t you see that?”


    He squared his shoulders, meeting my gaze with a defiant re. “It’s not that simple.” “Why isn’t it?” I


    shot back, my voice quivering with frustration. “Why can’t you just show a shred of humanity for once?”


    Around us, people began to notice our heated exchange. Whispers floated our way, curious eyes


    darting in our direction. But I didn’t care. All I could see was Logan and his infuriating indifference.


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    “E,” he began, a warning tone to his voice, “this isn’t the ce.”


    “It’s the perfect ce,” I snapped back. “Here, surrounded by the very lives you’re ying with. Maybe


    then you’ll actually feel something.”


    He took a deep breath, the cords in his neck standing out. “Look, I get it. It’s an emotional case. But


    this is how things work.”


    My eyes flitted towards Miss Smith, who was now sobbing into herwyer’s shoulder. “You call that


    ‘how things work’? What about basic decency?”


    His jaw clenched. “I have my reasons.”


    Iughed, a bitter, humorless sound. “Reasons? What reasons could possibly justify this?”


    Before he could answer, Miss Smith’s soft, broken voice reached us again. “I don’t know how I’ll tell my


    son. He’s been so brave, and now… now this.”


    Logan shifted ufortably, avoiding my gaze. I stepped closer, wanting him to see the tears in my


    eyes. “Every decision we make, every action, it has consequences, Logan. You can’t keep hiding


    behind the facade of business.”


    His eyes, those deep wells of clear blue that I had be all too familiar with, now seemed void of


    emotion. “E, drop it. We have a job to do.”


    That was thest straw. I could feel a searing heat rising up my cheeks, my vision blurring with tears of


    anger and frustration. “You know what? I need a moment.”


    I turned on my heel, wanting to get as far away from him as possible. “I’m going to the restroom,” I


    called over my shoulder, not waiting for his response. “And don’t you dare say a word to anyone while


    I’m gone.”


    As I walked away, the world around me blurred into a haze of colors and sounds. All I wanted was a


    moment of respite, a moment to gather my shattered thoughts and emotions. And maybe, just maybe,


    find a way to make things right.