Otto didn't come inside. He stayed outside the door.
I walked into the firm. Mervyn Walker was furious, files scattered across the floor where he'd thrown them.
He pointed at me and snapped：“Ann Henson! Have you lost your mind? Leaking documents this critical? You're suspended, effective immediately.”
I exhaled slowly, my voice steady.
“Mervyn, I'm formally tendering my resignation.”
His expression shifted to shock. He crossed the room in two strides and stopped in front of me.
“I said suspended. Once this blows over, you're back. There's no reason to resign. You have a brilliant career ahead of you.”
“Besides, you and that Sanchez kid fought tooth and nail to get into this firm together. You'd really just walk away from him?”
The year we graduated, Otto and I had been so ambitious, so sure of ourselves. We'd clawed our way into this firm.
Over the years, we'd built a reputation across the entire legal world. People heard our names and thought twice.
We'd pulled all-nighters on the same case, sat in each other's courtrooms just to be there.
But now, I was done.
When he saw my mind was made up, Mervyn patted my shoulder.
“Wherever you end up, you'll do great things. I'll get everyone together for a proper send-off.”
“And don't worry. I won't tell Sanchez. Breakups happen. Take care of yourself.”
I was carrying my things out when Otto stopped me, panic flickering across his face.
“Walker fired you over something this minor? I'll go talk to him.”
My voice came out quiet.
“I'm just taking some time off. Going to London to clear my head.”
In that moment, I wanted him to hear what I wasn't saying. I wanted him to tell me not to go.
He didn't.
The panic drained from Otto's face, replaced by something calm, almost indifferent.
“What happened this time, Maria did go too far. When you get back, I'll take you to Iceland to see the northern lights.”
“Work's been crazy. I owe you a honeymoon. I'll make it up to you.”
No need.
I wasn't coming back.
He didn't see me off. Said it like it was obvious: Maria had a follow-up appointment.
I watched his back as he walked away, then sent two texts.
“I'm in. I'll come to London and be your partner.”
“Nicholas, I agree to marry you. On one condition: help me transfer every Henson family asset overseas.”
Otto Sanchez. We were over.
On the drive back, a truck slammed into my car.
I was pinned under the wreckage, blood pooling beneath my abdomen, the pain so sharp I couldn't breathe.
My phone had been thrown several feet away. I dragged myself toward it with everything I had and dialed his number.
“Otto, help me……I've been in an accident.”
His voice was urgent, cutting in fast.
“Where are you? I'm coming right now. Don't move.”
The line went dead——
Before I could say another word, the call was cut off.
My hands shook as I dialed again. This time, Otto's voice was clipped with irritation.
“Ann, enough. I'm at Maria's follow-up and I'm busy. Stop playing these games. You're not a teenager anymore.”
“If you're in an accident, call the police. Call 911.”
He hung up on me again.
Two men in black jumped down from the truck and walked toward me, their voices ice-cold.
What they said made my blood run cold.
