Justin's POV
The day after was a study in avoidance.
I told myself it was coincidence. The natural ebb and flow of a large organization. She was on the 18th floor. I was in executive meetings, the boardroom, the private elevator. Our paths didn't have to cross. It was normal.
But I knew the truth. I was avoiding her. And somewhere in the back of my mind, I suspected she was avoiding me too.
The thought should have brought relief. Instead, it sat in my chest like a stone.
I buried myself in work, the familiar refuge. Deals, decisions, directives, the language of control. By the end of the day, I had signed off on three acquisitions, settled a dispute between departments, and reviewed quarterly projections that would make any CEO proud. It was a masterclass in productivity.
And I felt
