ie'

e man you once loved more than

h each step closer, the truth solidified before me: this was real. The man I had miss

Rock

ow I wanted to say it again, to taste it on my lips. But his cold,

tensity he'd always carried had now turned glacial, formidable. For a heartbeat

aw the ring

st that right long ago. And ma

al. I thought we'd maintain this mutual, silent distance-

dn't expect him to look at me and say, with suc

words was enough to

ish me forever now stood before me, arm

the pain of it was. I couldn't bear the weight of his c

e could live. So I could l

I let Thorn break me, it wo

ath and lifted my gaze once

ten in response. His brows drew together, his jaw clenched, his lips presse

unishment, and every par

it wouldn't change why I left, and it wouldn't break who I was now. But the doo

d around, letting me breathe as t

lder. "I just...came back for the do

oldly, his eyes briefly cutting toward me. I could

tyrant. She parted her lips, then looked back at Thorn. "Sir, I could stay for the briefing and clari

. "Ms. Summers is surely clear on the scope of her duties. What's the point

chest-deeper and more lasting tha

conds until Thorn sank back into his swive

oftness. He wanted to assert his powe

icy, clipped, dangerous

ooking back. I didn't wait for Claire. Instea

Just moments ago, I'd stood before him with some semblance of composure.

. Tears pooled h

ction in the mirror, breathing slowly, heavily, t

blankly at my reflection in the mirror, I heard footsteps approaching. Quickly,

e CEO's office. The CEO sent the other as

s voice outside was startlingly loud,

n his very

eady trying to seduce th

tted as my f

r reputation is almost too clean." A third voice chimed in. I wasn't sure whether to

ow naive. It's all an act. Like you said-her reputation is

p and mocking, push

obably a total w

Grabbing the vase from the counter, I strode toward them and p

hey'd always looked at me with that same condescending glare

t the hell is w

sgusti

ew them a deadly glare. The third gi

dangerously calm. "Spread another rumor about me, an

. "You really think you can intimidate me? I was just s

" I snapped, slamming the v

la-the one who'd starte

y did a friend of mine see you doing side work near the nightclub district?

tight. What was she

d spun a whole story out

ur judgment," I said, shaking my head. "Explaining an

wd of employees gathered just outside

und. And I also knew that sometimes defending yourself only m

but my body locked up when I saw a tall

tense stare, weighing me down like a

me out, but she stopped short wh

find Stella crying, shoulders trembling

e trembling with what sounded like genuine hurt. "I was just concerned abou

perform so convincingly. If only her ac

How dare you twist this? Rosie has always been impeccable at her job. Meanwhile, you've

rn, panic flashing briefly before

ielding. "Is this how you handle clients too? By lying when you're called out?

re's

rd of Rosie mak

, but what has she

ripples. And then Thorn moved. The crowd seem

s," Stella rushed to explain, tears glistening. "

re than a look. "This will be dealt with through f

leaving only quiet in its wake. Within moments, the

ing away. He merely glanced at me, cold and d

touched my arm gently,

nd nodded. "Yes. Thank yo

way

uneasy silence settled over the floor. Just as I began to think the st

d it: a summons from Human Re