I sat back in my chair and stared at my computer screen until the words blurred together.
I could stop this. Not in obvious ways that would expose my connection to Gianna or compromise her case, but I had power here. Authorization to delay filings, ability to create obstacles in our own timeline, access to internal records that might help her case if they somehow became available through proper discovery channels.
It wasn’t redemption. Not even close. But it was something.
I opened the pending legal filings folder and started reading through everything our counsel planned to submit. Motions to dismiss, objections to discovery requests, procedural delays designed to frustrate opposing counsel into submission.
I started marking things for revision—questioned timelines, requested additional oversight that would slow everything down.
My general counsel noticed within three days.
David Park appeared in my office doorway looking confused and slightly annoyed, a stack of documents in his hands. He was good at his job, which made lying to him feel worse than usual.
“Archer, do you have a minute?” He didn’t wait for an answer before walking in and dropping the stack on my desk. “I needclarification on the Brooklyn case. You’ve held up four standard filings and requested compliance reviews that aren’t required.”
I leaned back in my chair, keeping my expression neutral. “I’m implementing new oversight protocols. Everything needs additional scrutiny before submission.”
“Since when?”
“Since now. We’ve been aggressive in our approach, and I want to make sure everything withstands deeper scrutiny.” I picked up one of the documents and pretended to review it. “These families have legal representation. That means more attention, more potential exposure. I’d rather delay our timeline than risk complications later.”
David studied me like I was a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve. “These are standard motions. We file them in every case.”
“Then another week of review won’t hurt.” I set down the document and met his gaze. “Is there a problem with ensuring our legal strategy is airtight?”
“No. Of course not.” But his tone suggested he thought I was making their job unnecessarily difficult. “I’ll revise according to your notes. But Archer, this is going to push back our timeline significantly.”
“I’m aware.”
“The board won’t be happy.”
“Let me worry about the board.” I smiled in a way that suggested the conversation was over. “Anything else?”
He hesitated, clearly wanting to argue further, then apparently thought better of it. “No. That’s all.”
After he left, I sat in my office and felt like the worst kind of coward. Helping Gianna win against me without her knowing I was helping. Sabotaging my own company while pretending it was about compliance and oversight.
Not brave enough to tell her the truth. Not good enough to deserve her trust.
But at least doing something instead of nothing.
Two weeks passed in a blur of delayed filings and increasingly frustrated legal counsel. I approved things that created obstacles, questioned strategies that would have been effective, and generally made myself difficult to work with in ways that benefited Gianna’s case without being obvious about it.
Then I saw her on campus.
I’d been leaving a lecture hall after another session of auditing classes I didn’t need. The afternoon was cold, the kind of sharp air that made you walk faster just to stay warm.
Gianna was walking between buildings, a leather bag slung over her shoulder and her dark hair loose around her face. She looked beautiful in ways that made my chest physically ache.
She noticed me then.
Her face transformed—surprise shifting to pleasure, then to something that might actually be joy, and I felt that expression all the way through me.
“Archie,” she said, walking over. “What are you doing here?”
“Same thing as last time. Auditing lectures.” I gestured vaguely toward the building I’d just left. “What about you? Between classes?”
“Just finished meeting with Professor Diane about my case.” Her smile widened. “It’s going really well, actually. Better than I expected.”
