I should tell them about Eli. It’s the right thing to do, but instead, I watch them stand from their chairs and leave the room. My hands drag through my hair as I realize I just lost this case. There’s no way they’ll hire me after that lackluster argument.
I’m sure Pierce will talk their ear off about all of his accomplishments. They will be begging him to shut up by the end of it. He will show his passion and drive.
But I have passion and drive. I can win this case. It’s just … bad timing. And yet I know cases like this one are unicorns. I may never get an opportunity like this again in my career, and I just panicked and ruined it all in the span of five minutes.
I slam my hand down on the table, then push the chair out and storm through the hallway.
“In my office … now,” I growl to Bradly as I walk past him.
He follows me in immediately and closes the door behind him. The realization of what I just did begins to settle in, and my anger continues to build.
“Fuck,” I swear as I rip off my tie.
“Did they give the case to Pierce?” he asks as he remains by the door.
“No, but after that meeting, they sure as hell will be giving it to him.”
He looks at me like he doesn’t recognize me. Like I’m not the same boss he had just a week ago. Truth is, I’m not. I’ve never felt so lost and suffocated before. Life has always been laid out for me. The next turn carved out ahead of time. I’m not sure how to handle this, not knowing what tomorrow will bring.
“What happened?”
I sigh and let myself collapse down onto the couch in the corner of my office. “I’ve got a daughter, Bradly.”
He shifts uncomfortably. “I’m sorry I didn’t know that. Is everything all right with your daughter?”
A bitter laugh escapes me. “It’s okay. I didn’t know I had her until about a week ago. She’s just over a month old. Her mom dropped her off at my door and took off.”
There’s no hiding the shock; it’s written all over his face. “And that’s why you were out so much last week.”
“Right.” It feels good to finally tell somebody at work. “Do you think anybody noticed?”
He shakes his head. “Not at all. You are out all the time between court and meeting with clients. If they noticed you weren’t in the office as much, they probably think it’s for work.”
“I froze in the meeting. They wanted me to tell them why I was the best one to take the case. All I could think about was my daughter. I have no idea how I would manage both, to be honest.”
“Maybe it’s for the best. There will be other cases.”
My eyes catch on the Empire State Building, standing tall and proud in the center of the city. Once, it was the tallest, the crown of the skyline. Now, it’s just another giant, overshadowed by something newer. The thought stings. Maybe we’re not meant to hold the top spot forever. Maybe it’s not about being the best forever but knowing when it’s time to let go.
A dark cloud falls over me. “Yeah, I’m sure there will be,” I reply as I continue to gaze out. “I trust this secret will remain between us.”
“Of course, Mr. Harlow.”
I turn my head toward him. “Thank you, Bradly. Let’s get back to work. We’ve still got clients to take care of.”
He nods his head in agreement and leaves me alone to sulk. The once-competitive light that shone within me, driving me to be the best, feels dulled. I can’t shake it the rest of the day.
On Wednesday morning, it was announced in a company-wide email that Pierce would be handling the Solentra Biotech case. I had known it was coming, but the news still carved a deep wound inside of me.
Facing him in the break room when I went for another cup of coffee was torture. His smug smile. Shaking his hand and congratulating him were physically painful.
Three days into this working-single-father gig, and I know there’s no way in hell I would have been able to take that case.
Mrs. M has been great. She texts me pictures and updates while I’m away, and I’ve found that they’re the only thing getting me to the end of the day.
I’ve made sure to be home by five thirty each day to be back for Eli.
I pour myself a glass of wine and pull out my laptop to get back to work. I had to work until one in the morning last night to manage my workload, but I’ve survived so far.
