As the Oval Office was getting used to meeting the footsteps of a new president, the morning light filtering through the huge windows revealed the weight of history poured on the walls. How many presidents had sat in that room, how many decisions had been made, how many secrets had been whispered? Now, on top of this deep-rooted legacy, Harvey Specter's presence had settled. Every time he sat in the presidential chair, the weight of the world fell a little heavier on his shoulders.
Otis's death was like a dagger driven deeper and deeper into Harvey's heart each morning. But this pain had become a mask on Harvey's face, no weakness escaping. He tried to adapt himself to his new reality, to the complex rhythm of the White House.
Harvey felt the weight of the presidency in every breath. On the one hand, the problems of his father-in-law's legacy, on the other, the pressure of being more and more in the public eye in the White House. But on this day, the man sitting across from him was neither threatening nor shadowy. This was a different kind of visitor, much more political, much more complex.
His name was Edward Talbot. He was a strategist who had been known in Washington for years, but was never very prominent. He was on the intellectual side of politics, working on deep analyses and long-term political planning. He taught economics and political science at Harvard and was a mentor to many presidents in the background, but few people ever heard of him. What brought him to the White House was the need for a much more critical, long-term plan for Harvey's administration.
Talbot was a lean but self-confident man with grey hair carefully combed back and a sharp gaze. The lines of his face reflected years of experience. He presented himself with a vague smile, but inwardly he looked like a sage wandering the complex realms of his mind.
Harvey had learnt about him before. Edward Talbot was one of Washington's most brilliant political strategists, a man who saved presidents from crises and redrew the future of countries on paper. His presence here today signalled one of Harvey's most critical turning points.
Harvey took his gaze away from Edward for a moment and looked down at his hand on the table. The world outside of him, the life outside, was not as intense and complex as this moment inside the Oval Office. The thoughts in his head were getting fuzzier as he tried to weigh the meaning behind each word.
Yet, Harvey, maintaining his presidential composure, revealed none of his emotions. As always, he remained calm and displayed his usual strategic demeanor.
"Edward," Harvey said, directing his gaze back to him, "It was equally important for me to speak with you today. Throughout history, the United States and the United Kingdom have trusted one another. However, to take that trust to the next level, we need a new vision. As you mentioned, our world is more complex than ever. Cybersecurity threats, economic fluctuations, diplomatic balances... All of these challenges can only be addressed through strategic partnerships, not just military or trade relations."
Edward nodded. In the heavy air of the Oval Office, Harvey's words seemed to echo in the room. Edward tried to smile despite Harvey's clear demeanour. He appreciated the uncompromising stance of the man opposite him.
"Of course, Mr President," he said in a gentle tone. "Your firm stance is crucial to America's leadership. My priority will be to protect the best interests of Britain and America."
Harvey was silent for a moment at these words. His eyes returned to Edward's face, and for a moment he looked as if he was going to say something, but then he just took a breath. The pressure inside him, the stress building up behind his emotionless mask, reinforced the harshness of his words.
Harvey's eyes wandered round the corners of the room. There was a certain gentleness in Edward's tone, carefully chosen words used with special care to soften the seriousness. But Harvey's mind had already finished this conversation. Every word, every gesture was just part of a diplomatic game.
In a moment of silence, Edward Talbot stood up. Those last words, echoing through the walls of the Oval Office, made clear the respect the two men had for each other. Harvey also rose from his seat, walked around the desk, and faced Edward.
"Thank you for our meeting, Edward. We took an important step today, but this is only the beginning." Harvey's voice was still firm and clear, but his expression was cool and professional. As the heavy doors of the Oval Office swung open, Harvey gestured Edward towards the exit.
Edward Talbot turned to Harvey for the last time as he made his way to the door of the Oval Office, a diplomatic smile on his face, and shook hands with Harvey.
"Mr President, I hope to see you more often in the future, and I trust that this new era will be full of successes."
Harvey responded with a brief nod. "I'm sure it will be," he said. "Good day, Talbot."
When the door clicked shut, the silence of the Oval Office settled in once again, as if the room itself had been holding its breath. Harvey moved slowly, deliberately, back to his desk, each footstep echoing faintly against the polished floor. Now that everything was finished, he was alone—truly alone. The vastness of the room, with its towering ceilings and sweeping windows, only served to amplify the isolation that hung around him like a shroud. The grandeur that the Oval Office was meant to project, to the outside world, had become, for him, a mere mask a hollow symbol devoid of comfort or meaning.
Edward Talbot's sharp yet diplomatically delivered words still lingered in the air, as if the walls themselves hadn't yet decided whether to absorb or reject them.
Harvey sank into the deep leather chair behind his desk, letting his weight settle heavily into it. For a moment, he closed his eyes and drew in a long, slow breath, trying to steady himself. But the atmosphere of the Oval Office was stifling, oppressive both magnificent and suffocating at once. Every inch of this room bore the invisible weight of American power, its history embedded in the very wood, in the very fabric of the curtains, in the shadows cast by the chandeliers. From the outside, it stood as the ultimate symbol of authority, the pinnacle of global influence.
But from where Harvey sat, this room wasn't a symbol of power, it was the embodiment of crushing responsibility, a cage wrapped in velvet.
The portraits of past presidents lined the walls, their eyes seemingly fixed on him. Jefferson, Roosevelt, Lincoln each staring down with an almost palpable sense of judgment. It was as though the figures of history had risen from their frames, watching his every move, scrutinizing every decision. Harvey could feel their weight on his shoulders, a silent reproach that only added to the burdens he already carried. Despite the steady hum of the air conditioning, his shirt clung to his back, damp with sweat that had nothing to do with the room's temperature. The oppressive weight of responsibility was not just physical it pressed relentlessly on his spirit, tightening like a vice with each passing second.
He felt the crushing enormity of it all the weight of his decisions, the eyes of a nation, of history, upon him. And in that moment, beneath the towering grandeur of the Oval Office, Harvey was not the most powerful man in the world. He was just a man, alone with his thoughts, bearing the unbearable weight of the office he now held.
Behind the immense power of the presidency, there was a truth no one could see: Harvey Specter, silently being crushed by the very weight of it. From the outside, he appeared unshakable, his resolve and hard exterior making him seem untouchable. Every time he sat at the desk, those who faced him couldn't help but feel a mix of respect and fear. This new president, with his trademark arrogance and confidence, had now taken on a different role. His "President" persona was nothing more than a mask—clear, cold, and emotionless. But beneath it, the real Harvey was trapped, locked in a prison only he knew existed.
He placed his hands on the intricately carved wooden desk of the Oval Office, feeling the faint tremor in his fingers. His gaze drifted toward one of the portraits on the wall, resting on Lincoln's solemn, thoughtful eyes. For a brief moment, something inside him stirred. He could now feel the crushing weight Lincoln must have carried as he led a nation through war. Harvey was fighting his own battle, but this one wasn't with the outside world—it was with the storm raging within him.
The chaos that followed the death of his father-in-law, the political intrigue, the mafia connections, the joy he should have felt after his electoral victory had never surfaced. From the first day he stepped into the White House, the burden on his shoulders was much bigger and more complex than he had imagined. He was in a cycle he could not get out of. As a president, he had to be cool, planned and strategic at all times. His mask demanded it. But behind it all, the more Harvey Specter tried to be human, the more he realised what it meant to be president: To stop being human.
He stood up and walked slowly to look out of the large windows of the Oval Office, the huge White House lawn shimmering in the evening sun. Outside, the world went on, life went on. Gardeners trimmed flower beds, guards patrolled silently.
But inside, in Harvey's world, time seemed to stand still. The thoughts in his mind, the mafia connections, the knots that could not be untied, each one was becoming more and more complicated.
Paula's grief over her father's death had dragged their marriage into an even greater impasse. While Paula couldn't accept her father's death, Harvey couldn't share her grief.
He blamed himself, but at the same time even this guilt was not enough for him.
He was a president and presidents had to be emotionless. The stronger and more determined the public saw them, the safer they felt. Harvey knew this, and so he went on, suppressing any emotion.
Everything was in perfect order; the order of this room was the opposite of the chaos in his life. But even this order did not give Harvey peace of mind. Because no matter how organised everything was, the storm inside him would not subside. Although he had learnt to calm such storms in the legal world, the presidency had presented him with a whole new battlefield.
Harvey took a deep breath, clasped his hands behind his back, stood in front of the window for a moment longer, and went to his desk. Behind the closed doors of the White House, the weight of the presidency rested on his shoulders, making him more and more isolated. He was no longer just a president; he had become a symbol of a nation, stripped of his own identity. He was the man who carried the destiny of a nation on his back. But behind it all, he was still just Harvey Specter, and this weight was pushing him further and further away from himself.
This pain, which started in the centre of his head and spread to his temples, was like a familiar friend, a burden that had haunted him since the moment he took office.
He moved his hand slowly to his forehead, closing his eyes as his fingers gently rubbed the throbbing spot. The high ceilings, wide windows and gold-framed paintings of the Oval Office had suddenly become as cramped as a prison. On the surface, Harvey Specter was the most powerful man in the United States, a leader who was decisive, tough and showed no weakness. But after the door closed, the nakedness of being alone made him feel the heavy price of that power in every fibre of his being.
Thousands of thoughts raced through him like competing voices. Otis' words still echoed in his ears. Alliances, relationships, strategies, plans...
They were all intricate pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle given to him with the presidency. Every day, every moment, he tried to put these pieces together, but sometimes he believed that the puzzle was too big to be completed.
And every day, every decision, every meeting, made the burden a little heavier.
The pain in his head did not subside for a moment. He looked at the files next to his computer; documents waiting to be signed, meetings to be held, the endless demands of the outside world.
It was all piling up, like a wave hitting the shore and retreating, but in a storm that never subsided.
This invisible burden on his shoulders did not lighten for a moment, on the contrary, it increased every day.
The initial excitement he had felt in the first days of his presidency, the momentary pleasure of power, was now replaced by a sense of infinite responsibility.
Everything depended on his decisions, every wrong step, every hesitation could have consequences that could turn the world upside down. His inner voices were constantly reminding him not to make a mistake.
He was the president of America.
He had to be strong, decisive.
But this determination was increasing the tension that was building up inside him day by day.
The heavy doors of the Oval Office opened silently. The steps that crept in were slow and cautious, as if carrying the burden of life. Paula stepped into the room.
She was wearing a simple but elegant black dress; her face showed no sign of life.
The dullness in her eyes was a reflection of a pain, an indescribable mourning that had been going on for days, weeks.
Since her father's death, she had withdrawn from the world, almost a shadow. Her presence could be felt in the room, but her spirit seemed far away, inaccessible.
As Paula approached Harvey's desk, she noticed that his head was slightly bowed. Harvey had not yet noticed her, or had noticed her but had chosen not to say anything. The silence between them filled the room, like a sheet of ice covering every moment. There had been no real conversation between them for a long time. There were only a few words, a few blank stares, a few forced greetings.
Harvey realised that Paula had come in, but he didn't look in her direction. The coldness between them for days had already made even their conversations rare. Only a few words were exchanged, and the wall between them grew thicker every day. Harvey pretended to focus on the files in front of him, not even glancing at Paula.
Paula parted her lips, as if she was about to say something. But it was a step that came with difficulty. She wanted to express everything that she had accumulated inside her: The pain that the loss of her father had brought her, how she was lost in this dark void of her life, how the gulf between her and Harvey was growing deeper every day... But the words froze on the tip of her tongue. Harvey's cold stare had taken away all her courage. The icy distance between them prevented words from coming out.
"Harvey," Paula said, but her voice was so light it was almost inaudible. Just a whisper. This one word was like an echo of everything she carried inside her.
But Harvey did not respond to her feeble attempt, turning his eyes back to his desk. Paula's presence was now a mere formality for Harvey; in the midst of all the chaos in his life, he no longer felt any interest or affection for her. He no longer cared about Paula's conversations or her presence. In this relationship that had become a mere necessity, everything was silenced.
"I told you not to enter my office unannounced when I'm busy, Paula." he said, snapping, opening a few files in front of him and pretending to read them.
Paula approached the edge of the desk, barely breaking stride. Harvey's eyes seemed to wander only over the files; he was almost blind to Paula's presence.
Paula took a deep breath, trying to pierce the air with her voice. "I know," she said, her voice shaky and low. "Stop acting like a dick."
Harvey looked up from the files, his brow furrowed in anger, the anger in his eyes distorting the calmness of his face
"I don't like it when you do this even though you know my rules and when I point it out I'm not being a dick but you're being disrespectful."
"Disrespectful? I'm not your lackey Harvey," Paula said, her voice almost mocking.
"Are you solving the country's problems by completely ignoring me?"
Harvey's face tightened. The pressure building inside him was about to explode. "I don't have time to deal with emotional issues right now," he said, growing angrier with every word. "It's as simple as that. Don't you understand?"
Paula's eyes filled, but the tears were burning with anger.
"I don't understand, yes! I don't understand because you never talk to me anymore! My father is dead, Harvey. And you do nothing! You don't say anything! Just work, just the Oval Office, just the presidency! What happened to our lives?"
Harvey was silent for a moment in the face of Paula's accusations. His face became dull, like a piece of stone. The guilt he felt was deep enough to make him forget that he, too, had suffered in this matter. But he could not accept this feeling, and even if he did, he did not have the courage to express it.
"I have to control this situation. After your father's death, everyone has expectations of me, I have to prove myself more than I already have. That's what you don't understand. I am the president of this country. If I am married to you, I am married to my country. I am responsible for everyone." He paused, took a deep breath and continued.
"I am no longer just a man. I am a president. I don't have the luxury of being just a man. "
The words stabbed into Paula like a cold, almost sharp knife. Harvey's indifference was now infuriating Paula. Every attempt to speak, every step she took, hit a wall.
The man standing in front of her was no longer her husband, he was just like an attendant. The expression on his face clearly showed his distance from her.
"You're only good at one thing, pretending to be heartless. Let's face it, being president wasn't a dream you died for, and don't pretend it is now. My father's dead, Harvey! You didn't even say anything to me!"
And Harvey quickly stood up, Paula was being unfair. Harvey had tried to be there for Paula after Otis' death and it pissed her off that he was ignoring it.
"Bullshit, I tried to be there for you! I wanted to be there for you! You just pushed me, and you can't get mad at me because I'm not moving where you pushed me! You have no right! I did my best, I won't tolerate ingratitude. If you have such a big problem, you should talk to your therapist."
Paula was shaken by Harvey's harshness. Her eyes filled with tears, but she tried not to cry. The anger and frustration building up inside her had reached the end of her patience.
"You're going to put everything on therapy? Harvey, we're losing our marriage! I have a life. I'm your wife, I'm supposed to be here somewhere, next to you, with you. But you've forgotten all about me. My father died and you... where were you? Were you with me? No, you weren't. You were nowhere. It was like you were reading lines from a script, trying to be the model supportive husband!"
Harvey averted his eyes from Paula's full ones and pursed his lips. He felt that he was at the end of his patience, but this impatience was not out of anger or regret, but because he was fed up with Paula's repetitious talking. It was not the first time they had had this conversation.
"I make decisions that affect the lives of millions of people in this country. I'm sorry, but our emotional problems are not a priority right now," Harvey said, wanting this conversation to end.
Paula could no longer stand Harvey's rough behaviour. The anger that had been building up inside her began to come out uncontrollably, it wouldn't stop.
"You don't understand anything anymore! You're so wrapped up in yourself... you don't even know who you are. Yes, you're the president, but you're still a man. You're still a husband! We've never been strangers. It's become impossible to even talk to you."
Harvey's eyes narrowed hard, the patient mask finally cracking.
"Enough, Paula. Stop this endless drama. You keep repeating the same things over and over again. You don't understand, you don't want to understand! I don't have time to deal with these issues right now. If you're really going to support me, please put these issues aside. Otherwise you are making this marriage even more difficult."
Paula paused, not expecting these words.
All the things she wanted to say were on the tip of her tongue, but there was such a coldness in Harvey's gaze that the words could not leave her lips. The resentment and disappointment inside her grew to suffocate her. At that moment she accepted that Harvey would never return to her, that the distance between them was an endless chasm.
"Now, if my precious wife will excuse me, I have business to attend to." he said in a big sarcastic tone, buttoned his jacket and left the Oval Office.
"Where are you going?!" Paula shouted, but her question went unanswered.
Harvey just wanted to get out of here and go to Donna's as soon as possible. But when he stepped into the car, he found a different scene than usual. There was no car specially prepared for him. And most importantly, his chauffeur, Ray, whom he had trusted for years, was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a strange face opened the door for him. The tension inside Harvey suddenly rose.
He frowned and gave the driver a stern look.
"Where's my car? Where's my driver?"
The new driver nervously adjusted his jacket. Avoiding Harvey's stern gaze, he replied in a polite but slightly strained tone. He had not expected to meet such a nervous president this morning.
"Mr President, your car is currently being repaired, there was a problem. Ray will be here in a few hours. I will take you in this vehicle for today."
Harvey did not like this answer. A dissatisfied expression appeared on his face. He had always hated unplanned changes because control was everything to him.
He trusted Ray. Ray had been the only one who had kept quiet about Harvey's secret meetings, asked nothing, and stayed out of Harvey's personal affairs. Now he had to go to Donna with this strange face. His distress was growing.
"Well, why wasn't I told sooner? How hard can it be for them to sort this out? When is Ray coming back? Am I the president of the country or a lapdog?"
The driver hesitated under Harvey's pressure. He gestured to the car and tried to calm him down.
"Mr President, I apologise, we wanted to inform you earlier, but the repair seemed to take a short time. At the last minute the plan changed. Ray will be here in a few hours. Please, I'll get you there as soon as I can."
Harvey gritted his teeth. A few hours? That was unacceptable. Donna was sensitive about time and knew that everything required careful planning. Now he felt that plan had been completely ruined. When he needed someone like Ray, he was gone, replaced by this driver he didn't trust yet.
Harvey took a deep breath, not wanting to let out the pent up anger inside. The thoughts racing through his mind were out of control for a moment, but eventually he pulled himself together. He was already having a bad enough day. He wasn't in the mood to deal with this little change now.
Once in the car, he leaned back against the seat, his nerves on edge. He'd had a fight with Paula, his plan had been thrown into disarray, and now these little details that were spiralling out of control were bothering him even more. The thought of being late for Donna hung like a heavy weight on his mind. As the driver stepped on the accelerator, Harvey closed his eyes, hoping for a moment to escape the chaos. But he knew he couldn't.
Harvey closed his eyes and leaned his head against the back of the seat. He wanted to control the tension inside him for a moment, but he couldn't. He felt like everything was spinning out of control. The fight with Paula still echoed in the back of his mind, and the urgency of getting to Donna weighed like a stone in his heart. He opened his eyes for a moment and gave a short but decisive instruction to the driver.
All he wanted was to reach Donna as soon as possible.
Along the way, Harvey's uneasiness grew. The risk of these meetings always made him nervous, but today was different. The argument with Paula, the absence of Ray, and the presence of this new driver... Everything seemed to be going wrong. Even when he got to Donna's, he knew it wouldn't be resolved. But Donna was an escape for Harvey that Paula couldn't afford; here he could get away from his reality, get away from his burdens.
The driver slowed down and stopped the car when he saw the house. Harvey rose slightly from the back seat and looked out of the window. Donna's house, rising silently in the darkness of the night as the sun set, seemed to be Harvey's only refuge. His hands unconsciously balled into fists as the restlessness in him grew.
"Now here's what's going to happen, I'm going to go in, you're going to wait here. And if I tell you to go, you go and you won't remember a thing. That's how it works with Ray, if you're here in his place, you have to do the same."
The driver nodded and Harvey opened the door and stepped out. The cold air hit his face, but even the chill wasn't enough to ease the uneasiness inside him. He felt his heart beat faster as he made his way to the door. Donna was his confidante, but she was also the biggest risk in his life. This meeting was as dangerous as ever, but Harvey had no choice.
As he approached the door, he paused for a moment. The thoughts in his head wouldn't stop for a moment, Paula's face still looming in front of his eyes. But now was not the time. He took a deep breath, touched the door and rang the bell.
When the door opened, she was greeted by Donna's warm smile. Donna, with her night dress slightly wrinkled and her hair naturally dishevelled, looked like a source of peace.
Donna's eyes lit up when she opened the door. As soon as she saw Harvey's presence, she reflected the longing within her; for a moment she forgot the whole world. Her eyes searched for the loving expression on Harvey's face. This moment, which destroyed the distance between them, was almost worth a lifetime.
"Harvey!"
Her voice floated through the air like a thin melody. When Harvey heard Donna's warm voice, he felt a spark deep in his heart. As his eyes disappeared into Donna's, all the tension in him eased a little. Donna's arms opened to him and Harvey immediately immersed himself in the warmth. Their embrace symbolised a longing and loving reunion. The warmth and scent of Donna's skin sent a wave of relief through Harvey's soul.
They had both been waiting for this moment for a long time. When Harvey found himself in Donna's arms, all the chaos in the world was momentarily erased. Donna's heartbeat played like a melody in Harvey's ears, soothing his tension. Donna's hands roamed over Harvey's back, giving him a sense of relaxation that made him forget everything. They both savoured the embrace and lost track of time.
"Donna..." he said as he buried his head in Donna's hair. He felt her breathing. "I can't tell you how much I've missed you."
Donna clung even tighter in Harvey's arms. As her eyes met his, he felt everything falling into place again. She found herself surrounded by peace and loving affection. Harvey's hands settled on Donna's waist and pulled her close. Their faces were close together, their warm breath on each other's skin.
"I miss you too, Harvey. Everything... it's been so hard. But now, you're here. That's enough."
Donna's words filled the emptiness inside Harvey. Donna's warmth, the trust and love she made him feel, comforted him to some extent. As Donna's arms gently caressed Harvey's back, all his tension and anxiety slowly dissipated. Their embrace made this moment together a source of both comfort and passion.
"Something is missing in my life. Being here with you now will help me get through it all," Harvey said.
When Donna heard Harvey's words, her emotions exploded. The peace of Harvey's arms made her feel more loving and complete than she had ever felt before. As Harvey's eyes looked deeply into Donna's, the tension and sexuality between them suddenly intensified. As Donna's lips moved closer to Harvey's, the distance between them lessened.
They both became closer, almost as one. As Donna's hands roamed over Harvey's face, it seemed that all barriers between them had been removed. The moment their hot breaths met, it lit a fire in both of their hearts. Everything was filled only with the deep feeling of being reunited with each other.
When Harvey walked in, Donna's peaceful atmosphere pervading the house took precedence over everything else. It was as if every detail in the house had been carefully prepared to create the moment they were both longing for. They took slow steps towards the house, holding each other tightly, savouring this special moment. With each step, the bond between them grew stronger and the passion and love deepened.
As Donna and Harvey made their way home together, every corner of the house reflected the warmth of their reunion. The interior of Donna's house was exquisitely decorated, with care and meticulousness in every detail. The lights were softly lit and the colours in the rooms were chosen in soothing tones. The atmosphere of the house was prepared like a stage to celebrate this long-awaited moment for both of them.
"Come, there is something waiting for you."
Donna's voice floated through the air, soft and gentle. As Harvey felt Donna's compassionate approach to him, his nervousness eased a little. Donna had set up a cosy atmosphere in the kitchen, and on the kitchen table were various dishes prepared for dinner. These small details made Harvey feel at home.
Harvey gently took Donna's hand and they went to the dining table. The small dinner table Donna had prepared was elegantly decorated. The candles on the table cast a romantic glow, adding a special flavour to the evening. Harvey pulled up a chair and sat down.
"Perfect as always. Seeing you really makes everything better."
Donna smiled at Harvey's words and served the risotto she had prepared with care, the aroma of truffles on the creamy, steamed rice grains was immediately apparent.
The Siduri wine she had chosen was a perfect match for the lamb fillet, and Harvey savoured its deep and complex flavour with every sip.
"We didn't get a chance to drink last time," Donna said with a smile as she sat down in the chair.
Harvey grinned, took Donna's hand and felt her. He was at his most peaceful moment right now.
As Harvey disappeared into Donna's eyes, he began to savour the food she had prepared.
Donna uttered the first sentence that would disturb the peace, she didn't want to do this, she didn't want to ruin the moment, but the curiosity inside her dominated her whole mind, she was also worried.
"I don't want to break the spell but I can't wait any longer, tell me about this whole inheritance thing and rookie Mike."
Harvey let go of Donna's hand and leaned back in the chair, taking a deep breath.
"Donna do we have to talk about this-" he said but she cut him off before he could continue.
"Harvey, someone knows us, our secret, our sin. And it's a lawyer who knows. You should know when I don't trust. You used to resent my complacency, but now you do the same."
Donna's voice floated through the air, a little agitated, but determined at the same time. Harvey paused for a moment at Donna's words. His peace of mind was slightly disturbed when he realised the emotions in Donna's eyes.
Donna's question changed the course of the dinner and caused Harvey to put on his characteristic sad face. He took a deep breath and, as he answered, he created a tense silence, aware of the weight of his words.
"I know. Mike heard us at the library that day and my own lawyer wasn't in town so I had to get stuck with him, but it's not just that..." Harvey's voice was deep enough to carry the weight of the moment, but not clear enough to illuminate Donna's questions.
"We've had - and are having - complications with Otis's estate, and it's caused unexpected difficulties."
Donna felt a burden, a regret and a vulnerability in each word of Harvey's sentences.
"Difficulties? What kind of difficulties? Doesn't Otis have an only daughter? There can't have been a problem with the money distribution, what aren't you saying, Harvey?"
Harvey recognised in Donna's eyes a glimmer of hope and a search for uncertainty. He felt that these questions were forcing him to open up more. He narrowed his eyes and answered slowly. As he tried to explain the tension and uneasiness inside him, he felt crushed under the weight.
"Otis was laundering money before he died. But that's not even the beginning, here is the thing, it continues after Otis's death."
The concern on Donna's face merged with Harvey's uneasiness. The moment that felt like the emptiness next to the wine glass was dragging the night into a deep uncertainty.
"And we found out that the Mafia was behind it. The mans wanted to go ahead with it, they wouldn't take the deal, and I wouldn't take their word for it. They'll probably stop."
Donna's face changed like a mask with Harvey's words. Her longing eyes were now filled with a dark shadow. Harvey's words had made the evening not just a dinner, but a test. Donna's emotions deepened with each word.
"So, are we really under threat from the Mafia? Have you had to face such a serious matter? What are we going to do? Why don't you take action?" Donna had panicked, even hearing that Harvey's life was in danger made her feel like she was drowning.
He looked into Donna's eyes with calm confidence. He was trying to understand Donna's feelings while maintaining his peace of mind. For a moment, a deep love and determination shone in Harvey's eyes.
"Donna, I will do everything I can to protect you and keep you out of this uncertainty. The fact that the Mafia is threatening us may indicate that they are extremely dangerous to us, but don't worry. We will get through this together and I will never let any harm come to you."
Donna's eyes found some reassurance in Harvey's words, but her fear and anxiety remained. Harvey's calmness was a relief to her, but it did not dispel her deep-seated anxieties. As Donna gently held Harvey's hands, there was a kind of reproach and vulnerability in her eyes.
"I'm afraid of losing you. It scares me. It hurts me to think of you, not being able to go one step further, travelling in this darkness."
Harvey held Donna's hands tightly and looked deeply into her eyes, reflecting all the determination in them. There was a deep devotion and love for Donna in his eyes. The softness in Harvey's voice was an effort to allay all of Donna's fears.
"I know this situation is difficult and uncertain, but when we are together, everything becomes easier. You don't have to fear anything when I'm here, and I'm their target, not you. Your support and love give me great strength in this process. As long as I am with you, we can overcome everything."
When Donna heard Harvey's words, she felt her anxiety ease a little. But still, Harvey's reassurance had not completely allayed her fears. Even though Donna was in Harvey's arms, seeking some kind of peace, the deep anxiety remained.
"If we are really in danger, we have to find a way to get through this together. We have to do something for our safety and our future," Donna said, still not looking relaxed. Harvey smiled.
"No matter what happens, being with you means more to me than anything else. I will do everything I can to overcome these threats. I believe that being together in this process will help us get through everything. Your safety comes before anything else."
𓃭
Dinner was over and all the plates and candlesticks remained neatly arranged on the table. In the warm light of the room, Harvey and Donna's inner world was slowly sinking into the peace of the evening. The romantic atmosphere in the house had deepened even more after dinner.
Donna slowly sat down on the sofa and moved closer to Harvey on his lap. Her long and graceful body found its place on Harvey's lap like a curve.
This moment intoxicated Donna like a cloud of peace. In one hand she held a glass of wine, the surface of the red liquid glistening faintly in the light.
Harvey gently stroked Donna's hair, running his fingers through her fine strands. The softness and warmth of her hair felt like a fairy tale in Harvey's hands. Donna's head rested against Harvey's chest, listening to his heartbeat like a soothing rhythm. The peace on Harvey's face was a reflection of the deep relaxation and love that Donna's presence brought.
"I wish these moments could last forever... I wish these moments could become ordinary classic nights for us... I wish this could be our routine..." said Donna, swirling the wine in her glass a little and sipping it. She couldn't remember how many glasses it was, because one bottle was completely finished and Harvey was the last to open a second.
Harvey continued to stroke Donna's hair, gently grasping her arms. Donna's warm breath was like a gentle shiver on Harvey's chest.
"I know, baby, I know, but those moments are closer than ever. Things are on the rocks with Paula now, and I think she's starting to feel it, so I'm going to tell her I want a divorce."
Donna turned her head and looked at Harvey, her heart racing. She had been waiting to hear this for a long time and it had come when she least expected it.
"What? Really?" Donna said in disbelief.
Harvey smiled and ran his fingers over Donna's flushed cheeks.
"Really... It's already torture, every minute, every second... We can't stand each other. This would be the best thing for both of us."
Donna felt her breath catch. They had never been so close to this moment.
"Harvey. This is.. Oh, my God. It's too much... I mean, you're really gonna do this, aren't you? I know her dad just died, but-"
"I tried to be there for her, Donna, she won't have it, and then she gets mad at me for it. She's no better than a ghost, she pushes everyone away and then gets mad at me for the distance between us. I've got enough pressure on me already and I can't take it."
Donna shook her head and put her head back on Harvey's chest, closing her eyes. She couldn't believe it. In a few months Harvey Specter would be hers. Only his. She was dreaming. She didn't want to wake up.
The whole peaceful moment ended when Donna jumped up.
"Shit!" she said, and quickly got off Harvey. She was dizzy when she stood up, tried to regain her balance and quickly put on the top she had taken off.
Harvey was startled and leaned back against the couch, not realising what had happened.
"Hey, are you okay? What happened?"
"I had to go to the set, I forgot, I'm gonna be late. Shit." When Donna went into the room to change Harvey sat up and ran his hands through his hair, they'd had too much wine, he wasn't drunk, but he was a bit under the influence.
Harvey looked at his watch, it was evening, too much free time for a president, he had been irresponsible.
"Why do you have a set at this hour?" he muttered and stood up. Meanwhile, Donna came in, trying to pack her bag.
"It's been postponed... A lot of things happened. The director... the actor..." Her words stumbling, Harvey walked over to her and took her arm.
"Are you sure you can go? You look a bit tipsy." He chuckled and touched Donna's hair.
"Tipsy? Hah, baby, it takes more than wine to make me tipsy. But seriously, I'm fine, I'll be fresher when I get out. I just need to call my driver."
"Don't, I texted Ray on the way in, he should be here. Go with him and I'll be back with the new driver."
Donna packed her bag and started to put on her shoes while Harvey put on his jacket and grabbed his coat.
"Thank you Mr President, that's very generous of you, I hope it's special for me."
Harvey smiled, pulled Donna to him by the waist and planted a long kiss on her lips.
"Of course it is special to you Miss Paulsen, you are my only privilege." Harvey kissed her again, not wanting to let go, but it was Donna who broke the kiss.
"I really want to, but I'm already late." She grabbed her keys, switched off the lights and opened the door, letting the cold air in.
Donna came out, followed by Harvey.
Harvey kissed Donna one last time.
Meanwhile, Ray's car lights were visible from the top of the street.
𓃭
When Harvey returned to the White House, his head was fuzzy, he had a strange feeling in his chest, he thought it was because he had eaten too much. There was a discomfort in his heart that he couldn't quite put his finger on; it was as if something was missing, something wasn't right. In this inner turmoil, he had difficulty understanding what was right and what was wrong.
When he opened the door, the silence and coldness inside the house was like an echo of the emotional intensity he had experienced during the night. The luxury and elegance of the White House felt as if it had been transported to another dimension tonight.
As Harvey entered, he noticed the silence and darkness in the room; this uneasiness did not seem to him to be a reflection of the warmth in Donna's home.
As he stepped into the room, his eyes caught a glimpse of Paula. Paula was asleep on the sofa, curled up, resting. Her head was resting on the pillow, slightly bowed with the weight on one hand. There was a bottle of wine and a glass, but the wine bottle was still there, untouched, Paula had given up at the last minute. She must have remembered to take her medication, Harvey thought.
The television was trying to cut through the darkness of the room, casting a faint light around. The images on the screen blended in with the silence of late midnight; the light from the telly illuminated it slightly.
The cold air inside made the night a little more frightening, but the discomfort that had been coursing through Harvey enveloped him as he made his way home. He stood quietly beside Paula, slowly removing his coat and placing his jacket carefully, so as not to disturb her sleep.
Then, as he took steps to leave, Harvey was stopped by the sound of a voice echoing on the television. The familiar name stopped Harvey's heart.
He turned round and looked at the television to make sure. The breaking news had started, there was footage of the car crash on the screen, and the name written in red font on the side. Donna Paulsen.
"We continue with breaking news. We have new information about a car crash in Washington, D.C. An updated report has been received on the health condition of Donna Paulsen, the famous actress who was seriously injured in the accident and hospitalised. Paulsen is under treatment in intensive care and doctors stated that her life is still in danger. Excessive speed and road conditions are cited as the cause of the accident, but official statements have not yet been made."
The news bulletin with Donna's name on the screen spread like a heavy cloud of fog before Harvey's eyes.
"Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the accident and are analysing footage from surveillance cameras at the scene. And it is reported that statements will be made emphasising the seriousness of the situation. More information about the incident is currently awaited."
The camera focussed on the crowd outside a large hospital in Washington. Emergency lights were on, ambulances were waiting outside the hospital, journalists and photographers were gathered outside the hospital. Police and security guards were having difficulty controlling the crowd.
The sound of the television began to echo in Harvey's brain. This couldn't be real. Harvey had just been with Donna. The smell of her hair, the touch of her lips had not left his mind and now he was seeing her on the news channel.
"According to the information we received from the emergency doctors about the condition of Donna Paulsen, who was brought to the hospital with injuries, Paulsen's life functions are critical. According to the report of the paramedics on the scene, Donna Paulsen's condition at the time of the accident was quite serious and doctors at the hospital are now working hard to stabilise her vital functions."
"We will continue to bring you updates on this incident. We are currently awaiting official statements from hospital officials and doctors about Donna Paulsen's health condition. Please continue to follow developments with us."
For a moment Harvey felt as if he was outside of time and space. When Donna's name appeared on the television screen, it was as if everything in the world had suddenly stopped and Harvey's soul was left alone with an emptiness that pervaded every corner of his being. As Donna's name and the images of the accident flashed before his eyes, Harvey's heart beat rapidly, each beat bringing him deeper pain. He was trapped between the memory, the beauty of their time together and the painful reality of the present moment.
The solemnity of the doctors on the screen, the crowd at the hospital door, everything, but everything, landed like a blind blow on the violent emptiness inside Harvey. Every time he remembered Donna's smiling face, her arms reaching out towards him and the moments they had spent together, he thought that these memories were no more than a dream. Reality had suddenly overcome him in such a raw, painful and suffocating way that this emptiness seemed to leave a permanent mark on him.
He was having difficulty breathing, and the pain in his throat felt like a knot in his throat, making him feel that vomiting was inevitable. Harvey's self-limiting boundaries seemed to completely collapse as the sadness and panic inside him swallowed like a physical weight. Tears and vomit mixed together as vomiting tortured every single nerve cell in his body. Slowly but surely, he realised that the moments when Donna had been so close were suddenly, imperceptibly, so far away.
Half an hour ago, with Donna sitting comfortably on his lap, holding his hands, he thought everything was perfect. Now, the sudden, cruel destruction of these perfect moments cut deep into Harvey's soul. He felt like he was trapped in a dark, cold, uncertain void. Accepting the reality of what had happened to Donna, like a snake gnawing at his insides, created a deep ache in his soul. Everything came together to destroy Harvey's inner equilibrium, leaving him alone with a deep pain.
The emptiness inside him grew bigger with each passing second, like a storm that shook his soul, opening deep wounds in his heart.
He thought that Donna's beautiful eyes and warm embrace were now a distant memory and that the present was only a painful reality check. As the sounds from the television tortured Harvey's soul, the tears and the cry from his heart were the purest form of devastation. Now, Donna's presence remained a light, shining like a star in his imagination but unreachable in reality.
He had to go to the hospital.
He had to be there for Donna.
He no longer cared about title, status, presidency, rules. He wanted to be with the love of his life. Maybe for the last time.