Legally Not Yours

The Collapse of Connors

POV: Jared Connors

I’d never seen her like that. Not Leah. Not the girl who used to bite back with words sharper than razors, who could walk into any room and hold it by the throat.

But that night…

She stood in my doorway, shaking. Eyes red. Dress torn. Bruises blooming like violets on her neck and wrists.

My chest locked. “Leah?”

She didn’t say anything. She just crumbled into my arms and sobbed. I held her like my life depended on it. Like I could shield her from every cruel thing that ever touched her.

When I felt her shaking, I knew. This wasn’t just heartbreak. This was trauma.

“Who did this?” I asked, my voice low and already vibrating with rage.

She didn’t answer. She didn’t need to. I already knew.

“Carlson,” I said, eyes narrowing.

She flinched. Then nodded once.

“I’m going to kill him,” I growled.

“No,” she whispered. “Don’t—”

“I will make sure he pays for every single mark on your skin.”

She buried her face in my chest. “He said no one would believe me. That he’d ruin us both.”

“I believe you.” I cupped her face. “You’re safe now. You’re not going back there. Ever.”

She nodded, barely holding it together. We sat down on the couch. I wrapped a blanket around her and was just about to ask what happened when my phone rang.

Unknown number.

“Hello?”

The voice on the other end was tense. Urgent.

“Mr. Connors? This is the St. Lucia Memorial. Your father’s just been admitted. There’s been a car accident. A bad one and he’s in critical condition. Please come to the hospital.”

My heart dropped.

I stood. “Is he—?”

“He’s stable for now, but… he’s in a coma.”

* * *

We got to the hospital in fifteen minutes. Leah never let go of my hand. When I saw my father through the glass, pale, hooked to tubes, unresponsive, something cracked open inside me.

All my resentment. My anger. My guilt.

It didn’t matter.

He was still my father. And he was lying in a hospital bed with no guarantee he’d wake up.

* * *

Then the next hit came. My phone buzzed again. This time, it was Eli — one of our junior partners.

“Jared,” he said, voice breathless, “you need to know something.”

“What now?”

“It’s Carlson. He showed up an hour ago with some emergency directive Jeff signed last month. He’s taking over.”

“What?” I snapped.

“He’s already in the boardroom. Said he’s acting CEO until Jeff recovers.” I felt Leah tense beside me.

Of course he did. Of course Carlson wouldn’t even wait until the machines flatlined before making his move.

That bastard didn’t waste a second.

* * *

Back in the hallway, Leah finally spoke.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

I looked at her. “What is it?”

She took a shaky breath. “Uhmm..”

“You can trust me, Leah. I need you to be honest with me.”

“He lied about everything. The leukemia. The threats. He was the one who sabotaged our decks. He forged the emails. Every time something went wrong… it was him. He choked me, I could see the evil behind his eyes. It’s clear… I think he lied about everything. He–He tried to kill me too. ”

My hands clenched into fists.

She continued. “He said he’d destroy us. He lied about his sickness to make me say yes, to make me pity him. He told me I didn’t have a choice but to help me.” I didn’t say anything at first.

Just looked at her. Bruised and broken, but still beautiful. Still her.

I looked through the glass at my father.

At the man who gave me everything, and whose legacy was now in Carlson’s hands. And I made a choice.

“I will take care of you and keep you safe,” I said. “Then I take care of him.”

She nodded once. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders.

And for the first time in days, she leaned into me without hesitation. Carlson thought he’d won. But I was done playing his game.

Now? I was coming for him.