Chatper 313

Chapter 313 Stony Eyed

Ella

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 blazer, using the action as a pretext to collect my thoughts. Glancing 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? Ella, 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, Ella. 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 flashing with annoyance. “I’m well aware we’re not in a bar, Ella. “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. The last 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, where lawyers 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 circulating 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 particular 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 her lawyer. 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,” her lawyer began, a touch of genuine regret in his voice. He adjusted his

glasses, 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 words coming out in tremulous whispers. But they pierced the background

noise, each syllable 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.

The lawyer 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 her lawyer 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 slap 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 glanced at me, a hint of annoyance flashing 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. “Ella, 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 glare. “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.

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

“It’s the perfect place,” I snapped back. “Here, surrounded by the very lives you’re playing 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 her lawyer’s shoulder. “You call that

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

His jaw clenched. “I have my reasons.”

I laughed, 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 uncomfortably, 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 become all too familiar with, now seemed void of

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

That was the last 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.