Chapter 8

A year earlier, Katie had endured a messy breakup. Her ex-boyfriend had presented her with a $48,000 itemized bill, demanding repayment for money he'd transferred during their two-year relationship. When Katie refused, he sued. Desperate, she'd sought help from the firm, where Thalia was the only available associate.

"It wasn't like that at all," Katie sobbed. "We lived together for two years. We agreed to split everything—rent, utilities, groceries. He said he'd transfer $2,800 each month for his share, and I'd contribute the same."

"I didn't think much of it then," she continued. "But after we broke up, he demanded everything back, claiming it was all given with marriage in mind and should be returned since we split. But that money was for living expenses in New York! Our apartment was $4,200 a month, plus utilities and groceries. He barely spent $2,000 on actual gifts our entire relationship. How dare he sue me? I can't..."

"I'm still in law school—where am I supposed to get $48,000? I can't tell my parents. If they find out I was living with a guy in college, my dad would kill me. Please, I don't know what to do..."

The irony wasn't lost on Thalia—a law student ensnared in such a legal trap. Love, she mused, could blind even the smartest girls.

Thalia sighed, her heart aching for the young woman. Most lawyers wouldn't take a case where the client couldn't afford the retainer. But Thalia was different. She not only took the case but also loaned Katie the money for legal fees. Katie was already in such a precarious position; without help, Thalia worried she might do something desperate.

Legal fees were processed through the firm before disbursement to associates. As a junior associate at a mid-sized firm, earning a modest—by New York BigLaw standards—$145,000, Thalia could afford to help. She immediately added Katie on Venmo to send her the retainer. While her peers at firms like Cravath or Sullivan & Cromwell earned $215,000, she'd chosen this smaller firm for its work-life balance and the opportunity to handle cases she cared about.

After taking the case, Thalia worked tirelessly, gathering crucial evidence. They won, and Katie, impressed and grateful, joined the firm as Thalia's assistant after graduation.

Now, Katie asked through tears, "Once I finish my certification, could I come work with you?"

Thalia, surprised, smiled warmly. "Of course. I'll be in London; just let me know when you're ready to make the move."

"Really?" Katie's face brightened. "I'll follow you anywhere! You can't get rid of your shadow that easily."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Thalia replied.

In the managing partner's office, the bespectacled man looked up from her resignation letter, puzzled. "Why the sudden departure? Any issues we should address?"

"No, sir. Family matters. I know we typically require a month's notice, but this was unexpected. I apologize." She added, "I've handed off most of my cases. I have one appeal hearing in ten days—I'll complete that before I leave."

He nodded slowly. "Well, then. Best of luck in your future endeavors."

Leaving the firm, Thalia wandered the city streets. As evening fell and lights twinkled, a cool breeze stirred through the trees. A wave of loneliness washed over her. She was about to leave the city she'd called home for three years.

She remembered her first days in New York, when her father had frozen her accounts. She'd had only a few thousand dollars in her Venmo account and spent three days in a hotel. During those days, she'd found a job and rented a cheap apartment near the firm. After paying first, last, and security deposit, she was nearly broke. Only help from her London friends kept her fed.

The building was dilapidated, with poor security. Shortly after moving in, she'd had drunk men banging on her door. She spent nights huddled in bed, terrified to answer late-night knocks. The landlord claimed nothing could be done.

Desperate, she moved out, and the slumlord tried to keep her deposit. When polite requests failed, he became abusive, hurling vulgar insults. Furious, she reported him to the Department of Buildings for code violations and to the Department of Finance for tax evasion. Unsatisfied, she sued for breach of contract and harassment. Before the case reached court, the landlord returned her deposit. She dropped the contract claim but pursued the harassment suit. The landlord lost and had to pay damages.

Thalia smiled at the memory. That had been her lowest point. Later, she heard from a former neighbor that the drunk man had been beaten up shortly after she moved—apparently, he'd picked the wrong person to harass. The slumlord disappeared as well. Karma, she thought.

She'd met Drake during her summer associateship, while working on a legal services contract for one of Ashcroft Capital's subsidiaries. He happened to be there that day. He claimed it was love at first sight. He pursued her relentlessly, paying attention to the small details and appearing whenever she needed someone.

They had some sweet moments early on. Everything changed on their one-year anniversary. They'd both been drinking, and Drake tried to become intimate. When he embraced her and leaned in to kiss her, she panicked and pushed him away.

Drake looked hurt. "Why?" he asked hoarsely.

"I—I'm not ready," she stammered. "I need time."

After that night, things were different. She never felt ready to be intimate with Drake, not even kissing. She couldn't explain why—perhaps it was inexperience, or perhaps subconsciously she was repulsed by his past relationships. Whatever the reason, she now felt only relief.

Back at the penthouse, Drake was out. Thalia showered and fell into a deep sleep. Ten more days until she could leave. Thank goodness.