Page 122 of Dial L for Lawyer
I blink. "Excuse me?"
"We want you to stay. To help clean up this mess. Rebuild trust. You'd have complete freedom—resources, budget, authority to recommend changes."
David smiles. "They need someone with integrity. You're the obvious choice."
I expect to feel thrilled. Instead, I feel... empty. I stare at Richard, at the circle of expectant faces. This is the moment I’ve dreamed of—vindication, promotion, power. The ultimate win. But the triumph tastes like ash in my mouth. I look at Caleb, and he gives me a nearly imperceptible shake of his head, a silent message:You don’t have to take it.He sees it. He sees that the armor I wore in here feels like a cage now.
"I..." I clear my throat. "I appreciate the offer, Richard. I'll need some time to consider it."
"Of course." Richard actually smiles—real, not corporate. "Take your time. Just know it's yours if you want it."
"I'll be in touch."
He dismisses the meeting. Just like that. My entire career decided in fifteen minutes.
Caleb stands. "You did it," he says, low and proud.
"We did it," I correct, but I don't feel victorious. I feel... released. Like all my old stories about myself just snapped.
He offers his hand. I take it, letting him steady me.
"Ready?" he asks.
I nod. We leave the boardroom, and for once, I don't linger at my office door. I walk straight past and into the elevator.
Inside, just us. The doors close.
"What now?" Caleb asks, his voice soft.
"I have no idea. I thought getting my job back would fix everything."
"Did it?"
"I don't think I want to go back. Is that insane?"
"Not even slightly." His hand finds the small of my back, thumb stroking through the fabric. "Want to celebrate? Hide? Scream?"
"Can we just... exist? For like five minutes?"
If I try to make sense of it now, I’ll shatter. So for once, I want nothing. No spin, no strategy, no plan—just the quiet hum of his heartbeat under my cheek.
"We can do whatever you want."
I lean into him, forehead to his shoulder. "I need a second to be nothing. To not have a plan."
He kisses my hair. "Being nothing is underrated."
I laugh, shaky. "You're such a dork."
Better than admitting I might cry.
The elevator opens. He tucks me against his side, leading me through the lobby like we own it. Security averts their eyes—maybe embarrassed, maybe because Caleb looks ready to break fingers.
Outside, in the shadow of Luminous, the city races while I idle for the first time in years.
"I can't believe it's over," I say. "What do I even do now?"
"Victory pancakes?" Caleb shrugs.
