Chapter 60 — Anger flooded back

***Alex***

In the empty office, silence weighs heavily upon me. As the minutes drag on, the distant voices of my employees draw nearer, bringing with them the triviality of mundane matters. One after another, they come and go, their words dissipating into the air. But I am not interested. Not in these petty concerns. Not today.

My once clear and focused mind is now shrouded in a fog of anger. The memory of Sarah's accident, the moment when everything changed, resurfaces in brutal fashion. And with it, comes the certainty that Harper was to blame, responsible for tearing apart our life together.

The bitterness of the Johnson family's betrayal hits me like a knife, cutting deep into my soul. How could they deny me the right to care for my fiancée, to be by her side when she needed me most? Indignation burns within me, fueling the fury that simmers in my chest.

So when one of the secretaries dares to interrupt my somber thoughts, my patience wears thin. I dismiss her firmly, my words laced with a veiled threat. If anyone dares to disturb me, I will not hesitate to take drastic measures. After all, whoever is with me, whoever is against me, must learn that there is no place for interference in my world of pain and despair.

Finally, my lawyer enters the room after dismissing the press and sorting out legal matters. Clark appears content that both the press has calmed down following Harper's speech and the police have closed the case without allegations that I endangered Harper. He invites me to celebrate, but my response, "it's still ten in the morning," hints that something is amiss.

Clark beams at me, seemingly unfazed by my reluctance. "Come on, Alex! It's a victory worth celebrating. We can grab a drink, relax a bit. You deserve it after all the stress this ordeal has caused."

I nod absently, but my mind is elsewhere, swirling with unresolved thoughts and emotions. Despite the apparent resolution of the situation, a sense of unease lingers within me. I can't shake the feeling that there's more to the story than meets the eye.

As Clark continues to chatter enthusiastically about our impending celebration, I force a smile, but inwardly, I'm consumed by a gnawing sense of doubt. Something doesn't add up, and until I unravel the truth, I can't bring myself to fully embrace this supposed victory.

Clark enters the room with a smile, relieved that the press conference went smoothly and the legal matters were resolved. "Everything's taken care of, Alex. The press has calmed down after Harper's speech, and the police closed the case since there were no allegations of you endangering her."

I nod, but my mind is still consumed by thoughts of Sarah and the events surrounding her accident. Clark notices my unease and sits down, adopting a more serious tone. "What's on your mind, Alex? You seem troubled."

I take a deep breath before responding, the weight of recent events bearing down on me. "I was just starting to forget why I married Harper in the first place: to get back at the Johnsonn family," I admit, my voice trembling with emotion.

Clark's expression shifts to one of concern, understanding the gravity of my words. "You know I'm your lawyer, but I'm also your friend. You can talk to me," he reassures me, his voice laced with sincerity.

Harper's recent revelation plays over in my mind, stirring up a mix of anger and uncertainty. "She told me something that got me thinking. She said Sarah showed signs of being aware of her surroundings. What if she understood that I married another woman and that's why she was crying?" I confide, my frustration evident in my voice.

Clark listens attentively, absorbing the gravity of the situation. "Hmm, that's a tough situation," he muses, considering the implications. "But legally, we've hit a dead end with the custody battle. Going back to court might not be the best move right now."

I run a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of my responsibilities pressing down on me. "But I can't just sit back and do nothing while the Johnsonn family keeps me away from Sarah," I protest, my tone filled with determination.

Clark pauses, choosing his words carefully as he offers his perspective. "Maybe it's time to reassess your approach," he suggests, his voice calm and measured. "We could focus on weakening the Johnsonns' position first. And don't forget, Harper might be our ticket to getting closer to Sarah. She seems to genuinely care about her."

I nod in agreement, grateful for Clark's insight and support. "You're right. I need to play this smart," I acknowledge, a sense of resolve settling over me. "Thanks, Clark. I needed someone to talk to about this."

Clark smiles reassuringly, his presence providing a comforting anchor amidst the storm of uncertainty. "Anytime, Alex. We'll figure this out together," he assures me, his unwavering support offering a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.

Besides, I can't shake this feeling that Sarah might be upset knowing I married Harper," I continue, my voice tinged with fear as I voice my deepest concern.

Clark's brows furrow in understanding, his expression mirroring my apprehension. "It's possible, Alex. But you can't blame yourself for everything," he offers, attempting to assuage my guilt.

"But what if she thinks I've abandoned her? What if she feels like I've given up on her?" I lament, the weight of my worries bearing down on me.

Clark places a reassuring hand on my shoulder, offering a steady source of support in my moment of vulnerability. "We'll find a way to make things right, Alex. We always do," he reassures me, his unwavering confidence providing a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness of my uncertainty.

"Harper could help you through this," Clark suggests, his voice laced with sincerity as he offers a potential solution to my turmoil.

I shake my head adamantly, unable to entertain the notion. "No, I can't rely on Harper for this. I can't forgive her for what happened to Sarah," I reply, my tone resolute as I reaffirm my stance.

A heavy silence settles between us as we both grapple with the weight of my confession. Clark's expression is one of understanding, acknowledging the depth of my pain and the complexity of my emotions.

"I understand, Alex. But you can't let your emotions consume you," Clark advises, his words infused with wisdom born of years of experience. Perhaps forgiving Harper could be the right way to bring Sarah back to you."

I nod solemnly, acknowledging his counsel while knowing that the path ahead will be fraught with challenges and uncertainties. But for Sarah's sake, I must find a way to navigate through the darkness and emerge into the light once more.