Chapter 1

Raymond Penny sat in his office, his jaw set as he flipped through the affidavit for the third time that morning. Another day, another battle. And, of course, another battle with Isobel Scowan. He sighed, rubbing his temple. He knew the moment they stepped into that courtroom, she would be there, poised like a hawk, ready to pick apart his arguments. She always was. It was exhausting—this never-ending legal war between them. But what choice did he have?

“Big case today?” asked Andrew, one of his associates, peering over his desk.

“You could say that,” Raymond groaned. “Same as always. Another custody matter. And, of course, guess who’s on the other side?”

Andrew winced. “Scowan?”

Raymond gave a single nod. “She’s insufferable. It’s like she makes it her mission to twist every fact, every argument against me. I have to fight for every inch.”

“Maybe she feels the same about you,” Andrew mused.

Raymond snorted. “Doubt it.”

James smirked. “You two really know how to get under each other’s skin.”

Raymond didn’t reply. He just sighed as he rose and headed out the door. He wished, just once, that it wouldn’t be a battle. But history dictated otherwise. There were times the short walk from his office just off Cathedral Square to the court rooms in Lichfield St seemed almost like the countdown to another duel, one which he hated but could not walk away from.

Across town, Isobel Scowan was experiencing a similar mood. She adjusted the cuffs of her jacket and exhaled sharply. Another day in court. And yet again, facing Raymond Penny. That smug, infuriating man. “Ugh, why does it have to be him?” she muttered.

“You look like you’re preparing for war,” her colleague, Naomi, teased.

“It might as well be,” Isobel retorted. “Penny will come in, full of his self-righteous arguments, convinced that his client is a saint and mine is the villain. As usual. Honestly, every time we go up against each other, it turns into a battle of egos.”

Naomi smirked. “You sure you don’t secretly enjoy it?”

Isobel rolled her eyes. “Not in the slightest.”

“Maybe one day you two will surprise us and actually get along,” Sarah mused.

Isobel scoffed. The thought was absurd. She shut the file with a snap and grabbed her coat. It’s just another case, she told herself. Just another day in court.

... .

The Family Court courtroom was silent as Judge Carmichael took his seat. Raymond and Isobel sat at opposite desks, their clients beside them, their gazes carefully avoiding each other.

“I have reviewed the affidavits,” the judge began. “The issue at hand is whether this marriage is beyond repair. Counsel, proceed.”

Isobel rose first, her voice sharp and unwavering. “Your Honour, my client seeks separation due to the emotional toll her husband’s controlling behaviour has inflicted. She has endured years of manipulation and has reached her breaking point.”

Raymond barely waited a beat before standing. “Your Honour, my client opposes the divorce. He loves his wife and believes she has become unreasonable in her expectations. He wishes to reconcile, not separate.”

The back-and-forth escalated. Raymond and Isobel, as they often did, argued with an intensity that seemed almost personal. Judge Carmichael watched them with growing impatience.

Finally, after hearing both parties, he leaned forward. “Enough. I am reserving my decision, but in the meantime, the couple is to attend ten sessions of joint counselling.” He paused before adding, “Mr. Penny. Ms. Scowan. In my chambers. Now.”

Inside the judge’s chambers, he fixed them both with a stern look.

“You two act as though this is your personal battle. You are lawyers, not warring spouses. If this continues, I will refuse to hear cases in which you are involved. Do I make myself clear?” Raymond and Isobel exchanged glances, but neither spoke. They both knew they had overstepped. Again.

As they exited the courtroom, Raymond was met with a shriek of delight.

“Daddy!” Daughter Susie ran towards him, waving something in her hands. Her teacher followed closely behind.

“Look what I found!” Susie beamed, holding up a plush rabbit. “Mommy promised she’d send me a special gift from heaven, and I was so sad it never came. But today, I found Bunny!”

Raymond’s heart clenched. He knelt beside his daughter, hugging her tightly. “That’s wonderful, sweetheart.”

A sharp intake of breath broke the moment.

“That’s mine.”

Raymond turned to see Isobel, her face pale, her eyes locked onto the rabbit.

“No, it’s Mommy’s gift!” Susie cried, clutching Bunny tighter.

Isobel took a step forward, her voice unsteady. “That rabbit was a gift from my father. He sent it before he died. I lost it outside the courthouse this morning. It fell out of my carry bag.”