Page 13 of Blind Justice

Alex chuckled, raising his mug in a mock toast. Both men took long sips of their coffee, settling into a comfortable silence as they turned their attention to the day’s work ahead.

For Noah, the laughter lingered, but so did a nagging thought—a flash of emerald and gold, and the memory of Ruth’s knowing smile across the candlelit table.She’s just a powerhouse, he reminded himself, even as her image refused to fade.

* * *

The scentof fresh coffee wafted through the Everhart kitchen as Ruth padded in, her steps light on the polished wooden floor. The warm, golden morning sun spilled through the curtains, bathing the room in a soft glow. Dressed in comfortable gray sweats, her hair pulled into a loose ponytail, she reached for a mug and filled it, savoring the comforting aroma before taking a sip.

Her mom sat in the cozy breakfast nook tucked into a corner of the kitchen, her own mug of coffee in hand. She wore a soft cardigan over her nightgown, looking relaxed but polished, as always. Ruth smiled as she crossed the room to join her.

“I figured you’d sleep in,” Charlotte said, her voice laced with affectionate teasing.

Ruth laughed, sliding into the chair across from her. “I figured the same for you.”

Charlotte gave her a knowing smile, one that seemed to hold lifetimes of wisdom. “I wanted to see Alex out.”

Ruth’s smile softened. “I’m happy for you, Mom. Really.”

“Thank you, honey.” Charlotte’s voice was quiet but filled with emotion. “I never thought, after losing your dad, that I’d feel for a man again. But Alex... he’s changed my world.”

Ruth reached across the table, her hand covering her mom’s. “You deserve this happiness.”

Charlotte squeezed Ruth’s hand, her expression thoughtful. “What about you?” she asked gently. “I noticed Noah looking at you last night.”

Ruth blinked, pulling back slightly as warmth crept into her cheeks. “Mom, I don’t know.”

Charlotte cocked her head, her gaze soft but probing. “Alex says he’s a good man. I sense that too.”

Ruth shrugged, toying with the rim of her coffee mug. “He is, but...” She hesitated, unsure whether to voice her thoughts. “Mom, I’m out of his league. He’s... experienced, worldly. And I’m just me.”

Charlotte’s eyes twinkled with something between amusement and encouragement. “Ruth, you’re an adult now, so I’m going to tell you something I might not have before. Your dad was my first man. And Alex is only the second man in my life.” Her voice softened further. “Don’t sell yourself short.”

Ruth’s cheeks burned red. “Well, right now, it’s just a fantasy,” she admitted, her voice quiet.

Charlotte sipped her coffee, letting her words sink in. “Fantasies sometimes become something more, Ruth. You might be surprised.”

Ruth gave her mom a shy smile before shifting the topic, her tone becoming more serious. “Mom, can I ask you something? When you were working, did any of the guys in the department ever... make you uncomfortable?”

Charlotte’s gaze sharpened immediately, her protective instincts kicking in. “Blake Ellison?” she asked, referring to the law firm’s senior partner.

Ruth scrunched up her face, shaking her head. “No, not Mr. Ellison or Mr. Grant.” She hesitated, her voice dropping as if speaking the words made them more real. “It’s Matt Brandt, one of the junior partners. He’s also my supervisor.”

Charlotte’s brow furrowed, and she leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “What has he done?”

Ruth sighed, folding her arms defensively. “He’s brought me lunch a few times, which would have been fine if it didn’t feel so... calculated. He always picks my favorite drink, things he shouldn’t even know. He’s asked me out more than once, and I’ve said no every time—clearly, politely—but it’s like he doesn’t hear me. He keeps showing up at my office, lingering and saying things that just cross a line. It’s not overt enough to accuse him of harassment outright, but... I know what he’s doing. And it’s not like I can avoid talking with him about my workload.”

Charlotte’s jaw tightened. “Ruth, that’s harassment. Just because he’s subtle doesn’t mean it’s harmless. Have you gone to the practice manager, Dylan Grant or Blake about this?”

Ruth shook her head, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “I can’t, Mom. Do you know how that would look? I’m the youngest attorney in the firm, still trying to prove myself. If I start complaining about a junior partner, they’ll think I can’t handle the pressure, or worse—that I’m exaggerating. I don’t want to stir things up. I just want to do my job.”

Charlotte softened, reaching out to take Ruth’s hand. “It’s not fair for you to feel that way, Ruth. No one should have to endure harassment at work, no matter how subtle or pervasive it is. If this keeps up, you need to talk to someone. Don’t let it slide. The longer it goes on, the harder it will be to stop.”

Ruth nodded, but her shoulders remained tense. “I know you’re right. I just... I don’t want to make waves.”

Charlotte gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Waves or not, you have a right to feel safe where you work. And if they can’t respect that, they don’t deserve you.”

Ruth offered a small, grateful smile, but her mind already felt heavy with everything else on her plate. She sighed as if trying to exhale her next problem. “And then there’s my latest case.”

Charlotte raised an eyebrow. “What about it?”

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