Third person's POV
A week later;
"Mrs. Sinclair?" Katherine's eyes widened as Moira walked into the law firm.
"What are you doing here? It is barely 7 AM!" The secretary exclaimed in astonishment.
"Good morning to you too, Katherine." Moira smiled, setting her briefcase down.
"Are the Johnson divorce papers ready for review?" She inquired, going straight to business.
"But your honeymoon... You are supposed to be—" Katherine was expressing her surprise but Moira cut her short.
"Being bored out of my mind at home? No, thank you. Has Judge Martinez's office called about the Henderson case?" She asked.
"Mrs. Sinclair, you can't be serious about working today!" Katherine protested.
"I'm always serious about work, Katherine. You know that." Moira maintained, her voice carrying the same authority that had won her countless cases.
"Now, about those files..."
"Everything is in order, but—" Katherine paused as the telecom on her table rang.
"It is Mr. Thompson from the Thompson divorce case." She informed Moira after looking at the telecom.
"Don't pick it. I will call him by myself in an hour. And get me the latest precedents on property division in high-net-worth divorces. I want to confirm if our choice won't raise any issue in court." Moira said professionally and her secretary nodded in understanding.
"By the way, Where is Mr. Sinclair? Surely he doesn't approve of you working during your honeymoon?" Katherine pointed out as Moira wanted to walk away into her office.
"Business trip." Moira replied simply, her professional mask firmly in place.
"Besides, I saw all those emails Calix has been sending..." She added.
"That Calix! I told him not to bother you during your honeymoon! He sent you the Wilson case files, didn't he?" Katherine asked with a frown.
"Yeah, and the Murphy prenup, and the Garcia settlement..." Moira replied, pressing her lips into a thin line.
"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Sinclair. He is just too eager sometimes. He should have known better than to disturb you on your honeymoon." Katherine maintained apologetically.
"No, It's fine, really. I needed the distraction. Actually, I want to check the documents on Garcia settlement. I want to start working on the case today." Moira announced.
"Yes, it's on your desk. But seriously, you should be relaxing somewhere exotic right now!" Katherine said with a chuckle.
"The only exotic location I'm interested in is the courtroom, Katherine. You know me." Moira replied.
"I know right. Now, I have to get to work and stop fantasizing." Katherine muttered more to herself and stood, shuffling some papers in her arms, and some pages slipping out.
"What are those?" Moira asked, noticing printed text as Katherine scrambled to gather them.
"Oh, these? Just some web novels..." Katherine replied, blushing slightly.
"Web novels?" Moira raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. Romance stories. I print them out because reading on the phone strains my eyes." Katherine replied.
"In the middle of case files? Katherine, we have talked about personal reading during work hours." Moira said firmly but not too strictly.
"It's not even 8 AM! And they are really good stories..." Katherine protested.
"They better not be mixed in with the documents I am to review..." Moira warned and Katherine shook her head vigorously in protest.
"No, ma'am! These stories are just so addictive..." Katherine said and something clicked in Moira's mind.
"Really? Romance you say? Are they perhaps helpful concerning what a woman can do for her man or something like that?" Moira inquired gently, her tone shifting slightly from being professional.
"Yes... but ma'am, since when are you interested in romance novels? You are the woman who corrects grammar in prenuptial agreements for fun!" Katherine exclaimed.
"Research purposes, You would be surprised how many divorce cases involve romance novel addiction." Moira said smoothly.
"Nice try! But you never show interest in anything except winning cases." The secretary said, squinting her eyes skeptically.
"Consider it professional curiosity. Could you pull up the website for me?" Moira requested.
"Hand me your phone, I will bookmark it for you. But don't blame me when you get addicted!" Katherine said with a mischievous grin.
"Like I have such time!" Moira scoffed.
As Katherine typed, Moira noticed more printed pages peeking from her bag.
"Those better not be court documents you are taking home."
"Just stories about rich CEOs, arranged marriages, family drama..." Katherine replied.
"Sounds like Tuesday at family court," Moira muttered.
"There! All set. The trending section has the best stories." Katherine handed back the phone.
"Thank you, Kat." Moira appreciated and walked into her office.
~~~~~~~~~~
In her office, Moira opened the website Katherine had bookmarked immediately she settled in her seat.
"Let's see what solutions these might offer..." She scrolled through the trending section, her mind occupied with thoughts of Drake.
One title caught her eye: "Tale of an Unwanted Wife"
"Huh, that sounds depressing..." She muttered, but found herself clicking on it anyway.
The synopsis made her pause:
"A successful and intelligent attorney trapped in a loveless marriage discovers life in a very unpleasant manner..."
"Oddly specific..." Moira frowned, but began reading Chapter One.
Her heart almost stopped as she read the opening lines:
"Twelve-year-old Ava stood at the top of the grand staircase, arguing with her twin sister Aria about their future. While Aria dreamed of following their parents into the family business, inquisitive and ambitious Ava had other plans."
"No..." Moira's hands began to shake.
However, she read on:
'The family business is dirty money! 'We shouldn't touch it!' Ava shouted.
'It is what gives us everything! We are able to live like princesses in a castle, thanks to that. What's wrong with you, anyway?' Aria shot back.
'Don't you remember what happened to the Grey's family after Dad's takeover?' Ava asked, her voice cracking with emotions.
'They made bad business decisions, so yeah, that couldn't be helped.' Aria countered, but her fingers twisted in her sleeve.
'Besides, we can change things from the inside when it's our turn. You always want to throw everything away instead of fixing it.' She added.
'Fix it? Like you "fixed" things when you covered for Dad with Mom last month? I saw the real documents, Aria. I know what you hid.' Ava stepped closer, her voice dropping.
"How is that related to what we are saying here?" Aria frowned.
'Fine. Now, back on point: we could do better! Be better! I am going to be a lawyer and help people get whatever they want legally. You should try something like that...' Ava suggested and took her sister's arm, as if to persuade her.
'No, you can't force your ideology on me. Let go of me!' Aria yelled and pushed her away, planning to walk away.
"Hey, listen to me..." Ava said and tried to drag her sister back. Aria struggled to not let her reach her and then she tripped.
Aria stumbled.
One step.
Two steps.
Then nothing but air...'
"Then Ava saw blood streaming from her twin sister's head."
"NO!" Moira screamed, jumping up from her chair so violently it crashed to the floor. Files scattered across the floor as she staggered backward, her perfect composure shattered by words no one should have known.
"Monica? This is what happened between Monica and I that day..." She gasped, her professional mask crumbling completely.
"How... How does anyone know this?"