Chapter 10
There was nothing new under the sun. Michael’s ending was already someone else’s past.
I heard from my old colleague that the firm collapsed not even two months after I left.
It wasn’t just that he’d grown used to being hands–off, leaving everyone without direction many key opportunities.
when I left–he had also become increasingly paranoid and passed on-
Despite my contempt for Michael as a person, I admitted he was a capable lawyer. But as a leader? He was a disaster.
Zero emotional intelligence and negative leadership.
Though some old contacts tried to help, he pushed them all away–he’d long stopped caring about work.
Natasha, seeing him as a dead end, vanished without a trace, never to be seen again.
The firm dragged on for a year, but in the end, it collapsed under its own weight.
My old colleague vented on the phone, but I felt no joy.
In fact, I thought his end was deserved. He made his own choices, so he should lie in the bed he made.
I smiled. “I figured. It was only a matter of time. If you’re free now
come work with me.”
Her tone perked up. “You’re still my rock, even outside the firm! If you’re offering, I’d be honored.
“But I don’t get it. After all, you were married to each other before. How can yo
be so calm?”
laughed. “When you lose something truly precious, like gold, it haunts you. Even if you know it’s gone for good, part of you will always wish you’d held onto it tighter.
“But if you threw away a rock, you’d just be glad it’s gone. Why pick it up again?”
There was a pause, then she laughed too. “You always make things sound so clear. How I
“You’ll have it. Rest up and get ready for the interview.”
I had your wisdom.”
I hung up, feeling light and free. I wasn’t a workaholic out to prove myself, nor a brokenhearted wreck.
Right now, the scales in my heart had finally balanced.
Justice’s gavel had fallen. And with it, I reclaimed my freedom and happiness.
