rn'

ears, and I never thought that a grim satisfaction was what I'd feel

nnoying. But they couldn't hide the emotions on

ally out of any places

, gently moving it from side to side

her shock. The stunned stillness in

o her neck. My mark from last night should h

sked for

h. God, how I'd missed the

alone. After everything we'd been through, I'd believed what we had was unbreakable. I'd exp

one. No note. No c

mber, only to hear the same automated message telling me the line was disconnected. I hired investigators, combed t

sign. Only a hollow space inside me, gnawing m

ed freely, while I was

er. And I would never all

in my world-until she paid

t clear, factual explanations." My voice was cold as I watched her approach and stop behind

s. I can pull the relevant files immediately,"

rmal delivery irritated me

grown claws over the

, lowering my voice with deliberate

utlining the company's recent performance. But I wasn't listening-not to her words. All I could see was the movemen

s, searching for my own reflection as I once could-just as I had last night, when

used to

oughly, but the door opened again. Two more

sitioned themselves beside Rosella, neither meeting

my clenched

ties. Time allocation. Response windows. Priorities," I s

r duties, but the only vo

way. Even through those unflattering frames, I wanted

nning, e

I asked, a faint, cold smile touching my lips, "whose w

her face. But it lasted only a moment. Instinctively, she took a small step

ction independently within their defined scopes, and historical pe

d so easily stand up for those she believed in now-yet when I had needed

y my standards." I shifted my attention to the other two assistants, who stood stiffly

hey were well-trained-but surviving under me

rallel processing prevents bottlenecks at your level. They report to me, and I report t

hat stubborn set of her jaw-it reminded me sharply of the girl I'd first met. F

surprising oppo

h had chan

discuss these responsibilities further. Since you're the senior executive assistant, I assume you

le rose only offered her a reassuring, almost tender smile in return. She could smile so ea

he could handl

furia

eded to hear, her hands clasped neatly in front of her, her gaze fixed somewhere past my shoulder. Every

d slowly seated myself on the edge of my desk. The distance

quickly, she regained her composure. The swiftn

tone dripping with sarcasm, "do you really

a crack to her composure showed. There was a long pau

eral times before she finally

over ye

every syllable. "Is it really that easy for y

. "We're no longer

huh? My jaw clenched, a hum

ven say my n

"I don't see the need. Beside

rage to say my name?" My teeth gritted. The

-W

w and relentless. "To wake up after you left me half-dead in tha

e glasses, she looked fragile, but it stirred no pity in me. My

head as my teeth gritted again. "I'

ead slowly, but

xplanation

a near-whisper, my lips almost brushing her ear. The familiar scent of her-so

flower no longer had

reason, and one reason only..." I paused, letting t

et her eyes-eyes that still r

horny little ros