The next day, when she arrived at thew firm, she was met with countless stares and hushed whispers.


    She spent half an hour organizing her things, preparing to visit a client at the


    hospital, but a colleague stopped her.-


    "Hannah, Mr. Jones wants to see you."


    "I''m heading out right now. Can it wait?" she asked.


    Her colleague leaned in. "I don''t think so. Mr. Jones looked really angry."


    Hannah took a deep breath and walked into his office, files in hand.


    "Hannah, that case you''re on? Put it on hold for now. Help Sandra wrap up hers. It won''t take long."


    Mr. Jones pushed the man envelope across the desk toward her.


    "Mr. Jones, this is a domestic abuse case. The woman was beaten so badly she''s hospitalized, and she''s practically begging me to get this done. How can you ask me to put it on hold?"


    "I know, but she''s safe in the hospital. It''s not like her husband can get to her there, can he?" Mr. Jones took a sip from his mug. "Sandra said this case can count as your performance credit. You can wrap it up in a few days. What''s not to like?"


    "Performance credit? To you, all these cases are just numbers on a performance review, but behind them are real, living people. Do you really think she''s safe in the hospital? Her husband has had rtives lurking around for days. Every day I dy, the risk for her increases."


    Hannah pushed the man envelope back. "Since it''ll only take a few days, you can give that credit to someone else."


    Mr. Jones looked up at her sharply. "If you don''t take it, how am I supposed to exin this?"


    "I''ll exin it to him myself," Hannah said, knowing full well who Mr. Jones was referring to.


    For Sandra''s sake, Lionel had be a major partner in the firm. She had already guessed it was Lionel who called Mr. Jones to pressure her.


    "And what will you say?"


    "If I can''t exin it, I''ll resign. Is that good enough for you?" She forced a smile and left the office.


    The onlookers outside quickly scattered back to their desks, pretending to be busy while stealing nces at her.


    Hannah ignored them all and headed for the hospital.


    Her client had been a victim of domestic abuse for six months. All she wanted was a divorce. She was willing to leave with nothing and give up custody of her children, just so She could five.


    Hannah spoke with her for over half an hour. Just as she was leaving the room, she ran into Sandra.


    She was about to pretend she hadn''t seen her and walk past, but Sandra called out to her.


    "Hannah, are you mad at me?" Sandra asked, grabbing her arm. "I only mentioned to Lionel in passing that I couldn''t finish the case. I had no idea he would ask you to help."


    Hannah looked at her. "I already refused."


    Whether it was a passing remark or a deliberate hint no longer mattered. She was nning to resign anyway.


    "That''s good. I was worried I was causing you trouble," Sandra said "Lionel''s been in a bad mood since my ident and acted impulsively. Don''t take it to heart, and don''t really divorce him. He''s just angry."


    "That''s between my husband and me,” Hannah said tly. "It has nothing to do


    with you."


    at Sandra


    She stared at


    was here?


    expressionlessly. This woman, who likely wanted their divorce more than anyone, to be a peacemaker. She suspected it was a deliberate act to provoke Lionel


    further.


    But maybe that was for the best. A little provocation might be just what she


    needed to get Lionel to agree.


    "I know, I just..."


    Hannah had no patience for more of this charade. She pulled her arm away forcefully, but in the process, the back of her hand identally scraped Sandra''s cheek.


    Just then, Lionel arrived with lunch and witnessed the scene. He strode over to Sandra in an instant.


    "Hannah, what do you think you''re doing?!"