Chapter 2 I Would Stand By It

Mia's POV

The smell of garlic and rosemary filled the air as I stood in my kitchen, cooking my favorite dish. The soft hum of the ventilation and the steady sizzle of the pan surrounded me, both familiar and exactly what I needed tonight.

Cooking had always been my escape. A place where nothing demanded strength or control.

But tonight, I wasn't looking for comfort. I was trying to outrun the anger clawing inside my chest after seeing Liam Alcaraz again. I threw myself into each movement, chopping harder than necessary, stirring like it could erase him, desperate for anything that might drown out the memory of his face.

He was still as handsome as ever. It was unfair how nothing about him had faded. I hated myself for noticing. But no matter how good he looked, I would never go down that road again.

I hated him, deeply and completely. There were moments I wanted him to pay for what he did to me, but I knew that kind of thinking would only drag me back into a past I had fought so hard to leave behind.

I pressed my palms against the counter and closed my eyes, steadying myself before everything inside me could fall apart.

"Smells like heaven in here." I jumped slightly, turning to see Josh leaning casually against the doorway.

"God, Josh," I exhaled. "One day, you are going to give me a heart attack."

He grinned. "You gave me access to your place. You only have yourself to blame."

A few minutes later, we sat across from each other at the table, the city lights glowing behind us.

"You looked uneasy tonight. And don't deny it, Mia. I know you," Josh said quietly.

"I'm fine," I replied too quickly.

"You're not," he insisted.

I hesitated, my fingers tightening around the edge of the table before I finally let the truth slip out.

"It was him."

Josh went still.

"Liam," I whispered. "He's the CEO of the company I'm supposed to handle."

His expression hardened. "And?"

"I stayed professional," I said, forcing steadiness into my voice. "I handled the meeting... finished everything I needed to do, then walked out with my head held high."

Josh studied me carefully. "And after that?"

I exhaled slowly. "I haven't decided yet. I haven't accepted it... but I haven't turned it down either."

Silence stretched between us.

"It was supposed to be my future," I admitted, my voice trembling despite my effort to stay composed. "But being near him again... it felt like I was eighteen all over again."

Josh leaned closer, his voice firmer this time.

"So what now?" he asked. "You're just going to back down?"

I swallowed. "I don't know. I've never walked away from something like this before."

Josh shook his head, almost in disbelief. "You're a lawyer now, Mia. Not that girl he left behind."

I looked at him, my chest tightening.

"If anything," he continued, his tone sharper, "this is exactly why you should take it. Make him sit across from you. Make him realize what he lost."

I let out a shaky breath. "It's not that simple."

"It is," Josh said quietly. "Unless you're still in love with him... and he still has that kind of power over you."

"I'm not in love with him, Josh. I hate him. And I don't ever want to see him again," I replied, a little too quickly, a little too sharp.

A slow smirk tugged at his lips, like he didn't quite believe me.

"I mean it. I don't," I insisted, my voice tightening.

"Hey," he said, lifting his hands in surrender. "I believe you, Mia. You don't have to snap at me."

His tone softened, but his gaze stayed steady on mine.

"Just don't lose to him," he added, quieter now, but firm. "Not after everything you've been through. I believe in you, Mia. You're stronger than this. Stronger than him."

I dropped my gaze to my hands, fingers curling against my palms. Because the truth was, my thoughts were a mess.

I wasn't sure if standing in front of him was strength... or if leaving was just fear hiding behind self-preservation.

That night, sleep refused to come. I tossed and turned, flipping my pillow, pulling the blanket up to my chin only to shove it away again. My body ached for rest, but my mind would not quiet, not with him back in my orbit.

With a sharp sigh, I sat up, reached for my laptop on the nightstand, hoping work might drown out the noise inside my head. It always had. My job was my shield, my escape. The law was steady, predictable, something I could count on when people failed me.

But tonight, none of that mattered.

When the laptop screen blinked to life, I didn't type. I just stared at it as the hours slipped away. It was already two in the morning, and still, my fingers hovered above the keys, useless, like I had forgotten what to do next.

This had never happened before. Not during the bar exams, not during grueling trials, not even in the sleepless nights that came before verdicts. Work had always been the one thing I could control. But tonight, everything inside me was a mess.

Even his name made my chest tighten. His face flashed in my mind, He looked older now, shaped by time and success. The reckless boy I once loved was long gone.

His looks were not the only thing that caught my attention anymore. There was something about him I could not explain.

My fingers finally began to move, but not across legal briefs or contracts. Instead, I opened a blank document and began typing furiously, as if the sound of the keys could drown out my thoughts. A list of ways to make Liam pay.

I stared at the screen, then laughed softly at myself. It was absurd, childish even, but for a moment, the heaviness in my chest eased.

Reality returned too quickly. I sighed and deleted half the list, sinking back against the headboard. The anger came rushing back, sharp and bitter.

My hands trembled.

"Damn you, Liam," I whispered.

For years, I carried that anger like armor, telling myself that one day I would make him pay. But tonight, staring at the glow of my screen, that fire felt drained, heavy, and empty.

"Maybe it was not worth it anymore."A quieter voice surfaced in my mind. "Let it go, Mia. Forget him. Free yourself."

For the first time, I did not fight it. Revenge no longer felt satisfying. It only made me tired.

What I wanted was peace. My eyes drifted to the folder on my desk, thick and pristine, marked with the logo of Alcaraz Global. The biggest account Richard Vale had ever entrusted to me.

If I pulled it off, I would make history. And yet, I couldn't do it. Not with my ex. Because no matter how much I prepared, one truth remained. I wasn't afraid of losing a client. I was afraid of losing myself to revenge and the anger I still carried for him.

Slowly, I typed an email to my boss that I would turn down the Alcaraz account, and ask him to replace me with someone.

When I finished, I let out a long breath. Heavy, but freeing. For the first time in eight years, I chose myself.

"Mia!" I heard Vale's voice before I could even lift up my head. He used to knock before entering my office, but today, I could tell my boss was not happy with me and I was sure he had read my email.

“Are you out of your mind, Atty. Villaruiz? Do you even realize what you’re giving up?” he asked, clearly irritated before I could say a word. He had never raised his voice at me like this.

“This is the biggest account our firm has ever landed, and you’re saying no? I couldn’t believe it when I read your email. Everyone here has been dying to handle the Alcaraz account. His secretary already confirmed that Liam Alcaraz agreed to sign with us. He wants to finalize the contracts. This is it, Mia. We’ll be leading his legal team,” Vale continued.

“What got into you? I trust you, Mia. I know you’ll stay professional,” he added.

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

He studied me for a moment. “If you felt uncomfortable with the way Liam looked at you, I noticed it. But from where I stand, he was impressed. More than that, he seemed interested in you. I think you’re the reason he chose us. Your credentials, the way you handled the discussion… you stood out. I’ve heard he’s cold when it comes to women, but you clearly got his attention.”

I almost laughed. If only he knew the truth. That Liam Alcaraz didn’t look at me out of admiration. That he had already broken me once. That the last thing I wanted was to be anywhere near him again.

But I couldn’t say that.

I let out a quiet breath and met his eyes. “With all due respect, sir, I did want to handle his account. But I’m already overwhelmed with work. I think it’s enough that I convinced him to choose our firm. I’m glad I was able to do that.”

I paused before continuing, choosing my words carefully. “I’ve never refused one of your requests before. But now that he’s agreed, maybe you can assign someone else in my place.”

I hesitated, then added softly, “And to be honest… I don’t like Liam Alcaraz. I hate his arrogance. I hope you understand.”

“Mia, he wasn’t arrogant. He’s a billionaire. What did you expect?” Vale said, his voice firm, though the disappointment in his eyes did not fade. “Men like him demand results.”

I held his gaze, steady despite the tension in my chest. “Mr. Vale, this is the first time I’ve asked something like this from you. I hope you can understand.” I took a quiet breath. “I can still take on two more clients. Just give the Alcaraz account to Lisbeth. She’s one of the best lawyers in the firm.”

He stared at me for a long moment, as if trying to read something I refused to show. Then he let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair.

“This isn’t like you, Mia,” he said more softly now. “You never step back from a challenge. If there’s something wrong, you can tell me.”

For a second, my composure almost slipped.

But I forced a small, reassuring smile. “There’s nothing wrong, sir. I’m okay. I just think this is the best decision for the firm.”

Vale studied me again, concern clear in his eyes, but he finally nodded.

“Alright,” he said, though it sounded reluctant. “I’ll assign the account to Lisbeth.”

I gave a small nod in return, even as something inside me tightened. “Thank you, sir,” I said.

Vale paused at the door, his hand resting on the handle. He glanced back at me, the earlier frustration gone, replaced with quiet concern. “Mia,” he said, softer now, “I trust your judgment. Just make sure you’re not carrying this alone.”

I met his eyes and gave him a small, steady nod. “I won’t, sir.”

He held my gaze for a moment longer, then nodded back before finally stepping out, the door closing quietly behind him.

I stood there for a moment, letting the silence settle before I slowly straightened my shoulders. Whatever I felt, whatever memories tried to surface, they had no place here. Not in my work. Not in my decisions.

I chose this, and I would stand by it.