rm went off

. But then it hit her again-the job. Today. Her

more second guessing. No more

front of the mirror-foundation, brows, soft lipstick. Then she dressed: a crisp white blouse tucked into tailored

t a note on the kitchen counter: Wish m

nly stood outside

dating in the early morning light. She clutched her

of productivity already buzzing from the upper floors. The rece

orning.

m starting today.

man asked, t

government ID and waite

htly. "You're with the executive offi

tomach flipped. That meant s

artment, this space felt like walking into a library made of glass and nerves. Offices

Wing" and was greeted by a woman with sharp ch

" she said. "I'm Nad

small smile. "N

od. Mr. Steele li

rse he

spondence, and visitor coordination for Mr. Steele. You'll sit just outside his office. If

d as she tri

e anything personally.

muttered. "Got

itors and a fresh notepad. Nadia pointed

ready in. Don't interrupt u

wn, palms a little sweaty. She took a mom

ity. The pristine office space, the muted clicks of keyboards, the quiet professionalism-it all fel

l overwhelmed, a sharp kno

a, poised and confident,

u'll be working on these today. Start with this one," she pointed, "an

dded. "Th

her office. Evenly took a breath and opened the first f

an typing, the office

. Sharp.

tinctively-and

Ste

smoothing her blouse

s locked on her

working, not gawking

t falter. "I was jus

d past her like she was invisibl

. She wasn't surprised. After all, this w

egan gathering their things, laughing quietly as th

us are heading out fo

hanks, but I brought somet

the woman shrugged befor

her lunch and picked up her phone. She dialed

answered immediately,

. Just checking in-i

ar? Is the office fa

. I've been working on a file al

htly, teasing. "And what a

addressed me rudely again this morning. Walked out of his office like

ably scowls in his sleep. Just keep doing you, Ev

. "Yeah. I know. Jus

food before it goes col

verwhelming routine was becoming familiar, and the faces aroun

adia approached h

the contract revisions. Just confirm receipt and let him kn

" Evenly

Just as she was reviewing the message,

ngers

iam, unm

," he barked into the phone. "This isn

silence

sound of a doo

tively-but Liam stormed out without even glancing in

, watching him disap

uld deliver the file. But as the clock ticke

wn at the fold

wait any

fice door, and hesitated only

om was

asting golden lines over a space that looked

er. Books arranged wit

her attention

and his desk. Family

with a woman and a little boy. The boy's face was bright, his arms

time she'd seen

the child was-but something about the photo felt... p

step away, she he

round, hea

in the door

office?" His voice was s

. "I-I just came to drop this

into my office without

etting the folder down and stepp

the photo she'd been staring at, and for a br

ished just

oor, her cheeks burning. As she reached

unknow

eele. You don't know wh

ght-and the sc