Chapter 50: Day Off.
Cielle’s heels clicked softly against the polished floor as she walked back to her office, her mind an unrelenting storm of emotions. The weight in her chest refused to ease, pressing down on her like an anchor. She tried to shake it off, but the disappointment lingered.
How stupid could she be?
She had actually thought—just for a moment—that he was asking her to lunch. That he wanted to spend time with her outside of work. The way he had paused, the way his voice had softened… it had all felt like something. But she had been wrong. Again.
Reaching her office, she shut the door behind her and let out a deep breath, pressing her back against the cool wood. Her heart was still beating too fast, as if her body hadn’t gotten the memo that the moment had passed, that th
