Page 52 of Sins of the Father

I carry the ice into the bedroom. Steven stands at the window, lost in the view of the city. His shoulders are tense and arms are tightly crossed. A duffle and suit bag are next to the door.

“I have ice.”

He limps toward me. “Thanks.”

“I’m sorry I yelled.”

“It’s...”

I smirk. “You were going to say fine?”

“Guilty.”

I motion to the bed. “Sit down.”

He removes his shoes and positions himself against the headboard, and I put the cold packs on his quads.

I glance around the room, unsure of what to do.

“Harper.” He pats the bed next to him.

I kick off my sandals and obey. I hug my knees to my chest and sigh.

“Can I ask you something without you thinking I’m judging you?” he asks.

I tilt my head, resting it on my forearm. “Okay.”

“Why aren’t you practicing law anymore?”

This will be the final nail in your coffin. After this, he’ll never have any desire to touch you again.

I attempt not to answer. “I don’t think you’ll understand.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re Mr. I Have It Together.”

He groans. “No, I don’t.”

“Yes, you do. AndMarquis’sTop Ten Under Forty Professionals agrees.”

“God, I hate being on that list.”

“Why? You should be proud.”

His face hardens.

“I’ll tell you my truth if you tell me yours.”

He hesitates for a moment then finally gives in. “Okay. You first.”

I hug my legs tighter. “I didn’t enjoy it, and when my ex-husband served me divorce papers and had already raided all our bank accounts, I decided all my years of work didn’t get me anywhere. So if I was going to spend eighty hours a week doing something, it should be something I love.”

“Your ex stole all your money?”

“Yep. Millions.”

“The judge didn’t make him pay you back?”

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