and reached out as if to brush a

e her brain could process the movement, jerking s

Bradford, her lower lip trembling. "I just feel so bad for her, Brad. L

hat familiar expression of disappointment. "Don't

ost handsome thing she had ever seen. Now, looking at the weak set of his

"Brad, the signing ceremony is in twenty

ack on Harper, dismissing her as

t; it was a physical rupture in her chest. The grie

abbed the lapel of Bradfor

ted, turning back in

putting every ounce of her betrayal, her humili

ac

ike a gunshot i

ide. A bright red handprint bloo

eked, clutching her pearl

nds, but Harper saw it-the glint of

felt good. It felt real. "Consider that the severance packa

rned a

e tears came now, hot and blinding, blurring the world into streaks of gray an

d tears. She opened the ride-share app. She didn't check the

in front of her. The windows were t

t check the license plate. She yanked the

ike stale air freshener and old gum. It smelled of

sealing herself in. The sil

her hands. "Just drive," she sobbed, her voice muffled

ed into the rearview mirror, his eyes wide

kseat, on the other side of

red hand. It made a sharp

nodded once, put the car in gear

drowning in her own misery,

nding into the shadows. He didn't move. He didn't speak. He just watched her, his eyes dark and unreadable, observing th