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.”

in a bar, Ella. “If that’s the case,” I began,

for a moment, the tension palpable. Then, letting out a sigh of resignation, he nodded. “Alright,

we needed was to be discovered in the stairwell, causing

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

draft caressed my face, offering temporary respite from the oppressive

about the case pressing down on me like a heavy shroud. The murmurs and whispered exchanges around us seemed distant, but one

earlier-stood with her lawyer. From my vantage point, I could see the red rims of her eyes, the

voice. He adjusted his glasses,

hair falling into her face. “But my child… he will die without proper care.

noise, each syllable hitting me like a gut punch. This wasn’t what I wanted. I should have been on the side

as he replied, “I’ve tried everything. Mrs. Smith. I genuinely

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

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

a hint of annoyance

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

sound of my own heartbeat deafening in my ears. “To you, maybe. But for her and her

his shoulders, meeting my gaze with a defiant glare. “It’s not that simple.” “Why isn’t it?” I shot

exchange. Whispers floated our way, curious eyes darting in our direction. But I didn’t care. All I could see

tone to

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