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Abigail and Xander walked side by side, while Felix cautiously followed a little behind, like he was sneaking around.
After about ten minutes, they stopped in front of a late–night barbecue stand at the next intersection.
“It’s pretty late, and there aren’t any better restaurants open nearby. If you’re not picky, want to grab some barbecue?” Xander asked.
He used to speak with a laid–back, carefree attitude, but now his tone was suddenly all formal and polite, which made Abigail feel oddly distant.
She nodded, and the two of them took a seat at one of the
outdoor tables.
Xander casually ordered a few things, then handed the menu back to the owner.
He grabbed two bottles of beer–one for himself and the other he pushed toward Abigail.
Felix watched this from behind a tree, stomping his feet in
frustration.
It was bad enough she was out with a guy at this hour, but now she had to drink too, even though she could barely handle alcohol.
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decorated it with a string of yellow lights that gave the place a warm, inviting feel.
“I haven’t seen you since graduation,” he said, looking at Abigail. “It’s been years. I still remember back we’d always get a bunch. of us together to eat at places like this in college.”
Abigail nodded. “Yeah, even though sometimes we’d end up with stomach problems after, we never seemed to care. We just loved
it.”
eyes lit up as he
Xander took a sip of his beer, and his reminisced. “You were famous back then, the rich little princess. None of us could believe that someone like you, with so much money, would actually hang out with us at a place like this.”
Abigail chuckled. Back then, the Taylor family had been at the height of their glory.
She’d been the picture of a socialite, the kind of girl who was part of the elite. Now, though, the Taylor family had lost some of
its shine.
Xander paused, a nostalgic look crossing his face. “I remember, at one of our department meetups, you didn’t act like the high–society lady you were supposed to be. You fit right in with everyone, and when it came to eating barbecue, you were the one who went at it the hardest, enjoying it more than any of us.”
Abigail smiled at the memory.
Back then, she didn’t get to eat at places like this often, so when she did, she really dug in.
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remember how much of a big deal it was when I was chasing your in college. Now, looking back, it’s kind of funny.”
Abigail had been worried that their past might still be a sore. spot for him, but seeing how casually he was bringing it up, it seemed like he’d let it all go. She smiled. “That was a long time. ago. We’ve all had our wild moments when we were younger.”
Xander poured himself another drink. “You’re out pretty late. Ist your husband okay with this?”
Abigail didn’t reach for the alcohol. Instead, she poured herself a glass of water.
“I’m divorced. I just got divorced recently.”
Xander didn’t seem surprised. “I remember your kid’s already pretty grown up. So now that you’re divorced, what’s going to happen with them?”
“They’re staying with their father.”
Xander nodded, quiet for a moment.
Abigail couldn’t help but feel a bit strange, watching his reaction. There was something off about it, something that didn’t sit right.
After a long pause, she decided to speak up. “How did you know I was divorced?”
He hadn’t seemed the least bit surprised when she mentioned it, and he’d brought it up so casually, almost like it was common. knowledge.
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Xander gave her a small, easy smile. “Like I said, our circle’s not that big. I hear a few things now and then, and honestly, I wasn’t shocked.”
Abigail couldn’t help but shake her head, half–amused and
half–bitter. It was the old saying. Good news stays quiet, but bad news travels fast.
She’d only just gollen divorced, and somehow, it had already made its way to Xander.
The owner quickly brought over their order.
Xander politely set the utensils in front of Abigail.
She didn’t hesitate, grabbing a lamb skewer and biting into it.
Seeing how much she was enjoying it, Xander smiled and grabbed one for himself.
The two of them chatted and laughed as they ate, making it look like they were having a good time.
Meanwhile, Felix, crouched nearby, was getting uncomfortable from staying in one spot for too long.
“Junk food. What’s so great about it?”
After a while, Abigail seemed to gather her thoughts before finally speaking up.
“Xander, I remember you went overseas after graduation. When are you coming back to your old line of work?”
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“Been about a year now. People chase money, birds chase food- lawyers make money.”
He didn’t bother sugarcoating it.
Abigail set her fork down and turned to him, her gaze steady.
“Have you seen the impact of today’s case on your phone?”
After the case wrapped up, he left with the male client’s parents, so he hadn’t been at the scene when Skyla had her suicide scare.
“Yeah, I saw. Thankfully, no one died.”
He said it so nonchalantly that Abigail was caught off guard.
He used to be the kind of guy who reacted strongly to everything -sometimes even exaggerating his responses.
Now, though, he was so indifferent.
“Xander, if someone had died today, would you feel guilty?”
Xander put down his fork, a smile playing at the corners of his lips as he looked at her.
“Why would I feel guilty? If someone died, it would’ve been a suicide, not my fault.”
Sophia, who was also involved in the case, would have felt guilty about it. But here was Xander, the defense attorney for the other side, casually brushing it off.
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It seemed like time really could change a person.
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She remembered back in school, Xander was always the most warm–hearted one.
If he saw someone being bullied, he’d rush in to help without a second thought.
But now, he’d become so cold and detached.
“But you’re the defendant’s lawyer. The outcome of this case has a lot to do with you.”
Xander shrugged dismissively. “The person who committed the violence isn’t me. I’m not the one who’s suing her. I’m just doing my job, presenting the evidence and what my client told me truthfully in court. This whole thing doesn’t really have anything to do with me.”
“But you know Skyla’s the victim here. Why would you take on a case like this? Defending e abuser? If the verdict stays the same, doesn’t that mean the victim is left heartbroken, and the
abuser walks free?”
Xander looked at Abigail with a hint of mockery in his eyes.
He took another sip of his drink, then crossed his arms, grinning as he looked at her.
“Didn’t expect that, Abigail. It’s only been a few years, and you’ve turned into such a bleeding heart.
“Who decided lawyers can only defend the victim? Who even defines who the victim and the abuser are? Are you so sure that
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“Even if all the evidence doesn’t clear her name, should we just automatically side with her because she’s pitiful? Because she looks more fragile? Just because she’s the one everyone feels sorry for?
“Maybe Skyla’s just a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Do you have proof that her story is definitely true, Abigail?”
Abigail was taken aback by the string of questions, caught off guard. For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond.
