polished concrete floors, glass walls, and hushed, important conversations. I was given a desk in the open-plan design studio, a space buzzing wit

lasted unti

pdates and casual chats. A new message popped up in the mai

user named C

ay before, taken right after we' d arrived at my apartment. We were both smilin

underneath told

s "sister," the message read. They seem v

suddenly turn towards my desk. A wave of heat washed over my face. My fingers trembled as I

was to fight back,

lew across t

y brother. We were raised together. I would appreciate it if you

ening. I could see people whispering to their neig

ly came almo

e you were adopted. You' re not his "sister." You' re not related

nd turned into a weapon. She had twisted the truth of my family into something ugly and

the humiliation, a private m

. Just ignore it. Yo

s, my anger surging.

me, David! She' s telling the entire office that I

calm. I am handling it. Ju

it. On the public chann

' s true. He tells me everything. He tells me how you' ve always

e person I had trusted more than anyone. He had always been the strong one, the one who looked out for me. When I was a kid and fell off my bike, h

ady, he was actively letting the storm toss me aroun

message from the firm's senior partner, Mr. Sterling,

s over. Miss Peterson, your access to this platform i

nel went

turned to watch me. I saw pity in some eyes, suspicion in others. David

t this, Sarah," he whis

I asked, my

ies, with a reputation for being tough but fair.

aid, his voice low and serious. "And frankly, I don' t

t won' t happen again. I' ve already spoken to

e just stood there, defending

ke at this firm. You' re a talented architect. Your portfolio is one of the best I' ve s

y voice shaking slightly.

little. "David, get your house in orde

ilence. As soon as we were in th

fine. It'

she just destroyed my reputation on my

th her in a public forum? I' m an executive here. I have to mai

spering comforting words. He didn't once look back at me. He was soot

ffice had not returned. People avoided my gaze. I felt a profound sense of i

hey just looked like a reminder of a dream that was rapidly turning into a nightmare. This wasn't just about a jealous fiancée anymore. Thi