-

rning came

hed, my head throbbed, but

heavy with silence. Elijah's

n't co

time I stepped into my office clothes - a soft beige blouse tucked into

had

the satisfaction of k

sier than usual. Staff hurried about with anxious faces, a

citement. "They said Ms. Gwen is coming in today. She's meeting with th

w

cou

Elijah's full attention and the shareholders' praise. Beauti

discomfort an

o ahead, I'll join t

ward the elevator,

ould have

-

ed with glass walls

his navy suit. His fingers tapped his pen lazily, but his

greeted quietly, taking my s

here," a

w

it - soft curls brushing her shoulders, lip

s gaze softened in a wa

s I heard in his

clenched

fore her eyes flicked to me - mock

? I didn't expect to see you in this meet

cleared his throat. "Mrs. Spencer is our senior design

t. "Oh, right. I forgot. You're st

ripped wit

d nothing.

t even l

lence

"Designing is still my job, Gwen

cently. "But shouldn't you focus more on charity events and s

, but the message beh

ho Elijah spent

kept my hands clasped tightly on my lap, n

replied calmly, though my throa

she masked it with a laugh. "Still as defensi

t's enough," he said coolly - but his tone wasn't for h

He was ending the scene

-

es and turned to leave. My hands tre

Gwen's laug

later. I have some design drafts you might want to *approve*. A

veryone that I was beneath her, even though she

gaze. "Of course," I said softly.

fened, but she quickly recovered, flip

me, his eyes unreadable.

hat w

e of the man I once believed

-

hed my office, my

ind me and sank into my chair

humiliated - I

l cup of tea. "Ma'am, I... I just wanted to say I'm sorry for wh

"It's fine, Clara. People like Gwen don't cha

e's the reason Mr. Elijah even got married. That there w

ed, but no s

it. That maybe - once - Elijah had cared, even

ck to work," I w

n drafts, trying to focus on lines and

e evening, I reached into my bag and

. Two reasons to

"Grandma Elise used to say love doesn't always come wrapp

tears. "You'll never have

r drifted down the hallway agai

was Elijah's dee

oment, I thou

straightened my blouse,

adow anymore, Jenn