" No wonder you're such a beast - you've got the bosses ' DNA ! " " Only rockstar parents could raise someone this good! " And just like that , I exhaled . Hearing their praise , I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding . Yeah . I'd earned this . I started cashing in my vacation days and hit the road . Summer ? I was beachside , soaking up sun . Fall ? Hiking through insane mountain views . Winter ? Curled up at my parents ' place , watching snow fall . Spring ?

Climbing peaks like I was chasing the new year . Time flew . I stopped counting the years . But eventually , I hit top performer status again . In Caverton , everyone knew my name . Need a lawyer ? I was their first call . People tried to shoot their shot , but I shut it down every time . The only man I trusted was my dad . And honestly ? I almost forgot Owen ever existed . *** One day , a close friend asked if I wanted to visit Ainsley . 1/2 Five years ago ? That would've been a hard no .

Now ? I just raised a brow . " Perfect . I know Ainsley like the back of my hand . I'll be your tour guide . " The second I stepped off the plane , it all came rushing back . While we were cruising around town , we passed my old law firm . I shot my friend a quick look and jumped out . Had to see Judy . It'd been five years . We both looked different . I glanced at the Wall of Honor - and there she was . Judy , now a Senior Partner . I couldn't stop smiling . " Reiny ? " That voice .

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I turned around . Judy's long hair was gone - now it was sleek and sharp . She looked like she'd fully stepped into her power . " It's really you ! " She rushed over and hugged me tight . " I missed you so much ! " I smiled . " I was in town with a friend and figured I'd swing by . " Judy grinned . " Did you hear ? Owen and Vanessa are long gone . " 11 Apparently , in the past five years , Owen totally lost his edge . Couldn't win a case to save his life . Vanessa ?

She tricked him into getting her pregnant , then quit working altogether . Just laid around , living off him . Owen finally hit his limit and tried to leave . But Vanessa ? Clung on like it was her full - time job . Within a year , it was chaos . She even brought her whole family over , demanding a wedding . Already spiraling , Owen snapped . Mr. Specter booted him after yet another blown case . Everyone in Ainsley knew he was a walking punchline .

He ended up selling the apartment and dragging Vanessa back to his tiny hometown . I blinked . He'd worked so hard to escape that place - only to land right back where he started . Judy just laughed . " Serves him right . After what he put you through , he earned every bit of it . " I nodded , smiling . She wasn't wrong . Just then , my friend strolled over . " What are you two gossiping about ? " Judy gave her a once - over , smiling . " This must be your friend . She's stunning !

" I laughed . " Yup . Want to hang out together ? " " Definitely ! "