Tears welled up in her eyes, her voice quivering. " I just wanted you to know how much you mean to me, even if it's not the same for you "
His heart sank at her raw display of emotion " I value our professional relationship, Lauren. But this conversation needs to end here "
Before she could respond, he turned away, striding out of the office, leaving her standing there, visibly shaken. Despite his efforts to maintain boundaries, a sense of unease lingered within him, the weight of Lauren's emotions adding to the burdens of the day.
As he drove home, the conversation replayed in his mind, a persistent nagging at his conscience. The longing for Ava's calming presence intensified, a beacon of solace amidst the turmoil of his professional and personal obligations.
Arriving at the mansion,
