comprehend the shift in my demeanor. To her, this was just anothe

lightning' ?" she scoffed. "Stop being

he couldn' t imagine a world where

ly professional relationship! He' s my assistant. The fact that your mind immediately goes to such a filthy plac

have pointed out the late nights, the shared whispers, the way his hand lingered on her back

d already seen the end of th

o the front door and opened it, holding

?" she asked, genui

I said calmly. "You' ve said your piece. Y

f the word was foreign to

band you pay to stay here. You also said you were

ock. She had never been dismissed by me before. I

I have a late meeting with Ethan anyway. At least he und

nd out the door witho

lick of the lock sounding like a final,

pt in for the past year. I opened the vast walk-in closet. On one side, her designer

airs of old jeans, and two button-down shirts. My entire wa

cotton t-shirt and a memory

bought a new sweater, a nice, simple cashmere blend. It was the most expensive piece of clothing

she saw me. She pulled me into the ki

" she' d hissed, her e

turning to shame under her gaz

mbarrassing me. Go upstairs and change into one of your old t-shirts. At least th

sweater in the trash, st

row it away. She ha

e hated the reminder of where she came from. I was a living, breathing symbol of the poverty she

stify her affair with Ethan. She needed me to be pathetic so she could feel powerful. She needed to tear me down to

pon to get what she wants, and then blame me for my own pain. I had

. I could see everything wi