Chapter 8: Farewell to the Past–1
Chapter 8: Farewell to the Past
(Olivia’s POV)
A year ago, Emma Thompson broke up with her boyfriend. I remember her sitting across from me, her face blotchy from crying, hands trembling as she clutched a legal document.
“He’s demanding fifty thousand dollars,” she sobbed, her voice breaking. “Says it was money
he transferred to me during our relationship.”
I handed her a tissue, watching as she tried to compose herself.
“That’s not how it was at all,” Emma continued, wiping her tears. “We agreed from the start
that rent, utilities, and living expenses would be split evenly. He said his monthly two
thousand dollars covered his share, and I paid two thousand of my own.”
Her shoulders shook with another wave of sobs.
“Now he insists it was a gift given with marriage intentions, so I should return it if we break
hundred dollars.”
Emma looked up at me, her eyes red and desperate.
“How shameless can he be, filing a legal complaint over this?” She choked on her tears. “My
two thousand a month came from my parents. I’m just a university student – how can I afford fifty thousand?”
She gripped my hand tightly, her fingers cold with fear.
“I can’t tell my family either. If my father knew I lived with a man during school, he’d kill him.”
Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Liv, please help me… I have nowhere else to turn.”
The memory of Emma’s desperate plea still resonated with me. Back then, I was barely established myself, a fresh graduate with a meager monthly income from my new legal
practice.
But something about her situation struck a chord deep within me. Perhaps it was her vulnerability, or maybe I saw something of myself in her–someone alone in a city that could
be cruelly indifferent.
I broke the unspoken rule that lawyers don’t take clients who can’t pay. Not only did I take her
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case, but I also lent her money to cover the legal fees needed to fight the claim.
+25 Puntos
The fee was transferred directly to the lawyer center, as is customary. I accepted the case without compensation, knowing that without help, a vulnerable young woman like Emma might do something foolish.
It wasn’t easy. The ex–boyfriend had carefully documented every transfer, presenting them as “gifts” rather than shared expenses. But I was determined.
After weeks of gathering evidence–bank statements, text messages discussing bill payments, testimonies from roommates who had witnessed their financial arrangements–l finally built a solid case.
The day we won, Emma hugged me so tightly I could barely breathe. Her ex–boyfriend’s shameless false claims were exposed, and he was ordered to pay Emma’s legal costs.
Two months later, after her graduation, Emma showed up at my office with a small potted plant and a determined expression.
“I want to work for you,” she declared. “I want to learn everything you know.”
Now, Emma’s eyes were red again as she looked at me across my desk.
“Liv, I’m still under my practice license here and can’t leave yet,” she said softly. “But once my
internship ends, can I come find you?”
Her question caught me off guard. I hadn’t expected such devotion, especially after
announcing my sudden departure.
“Of course,” I replied, my amber eyes warming with genuine affection. “My home is in
Riverdale. When the time comes, just contact me if you want to join me.”
Emma broke into a teary smile. “That’s great! Liv, I’ll follow you forever! Wherever you go, I’ll
I couldn’t help but smile at her earnestness. “Never.”
Our bond, forged through hardship and gratitude, gave me some rare comfort amid my own
turmoil. In a world where I’d learned to guard my heart carefully, Emma’s loyalty was a
precious gift.
After saying goodbye to Emma, I headed to the director’s office. Thomas Wilson looked up from his desk as I entered, his bespectacled face registering mild surprise.
“Miss Winters,” he greeted me, gesturing to the chair opposite his desk. “What can I do for
you?”
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I handed him my resignation letter. “I’m sorry for the short notice, Mr. Wilson.”
He adjusted his glasses, scanning the document with growing confusion. “Miss Winters, why are you suddenly quitting? Did you run into trouble with any clients?”
I shook my head quickly. “No, Mr. Wilson. It’s family matters, I have to return to my
hometown.”
His eyebrows rose slightly, but he remained professional.
“I know I’m supposed to give a month’s notice, but this was unexpected. I’m sorry,” I added,
feeling genuinely bad about the abruptness of my departure.
Then I continued softly, “My handover is almost complete. There’s one last case
hearing is in ten days. After that, I’ll leave. I just wanted to inform you early.”
–
the appeal
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