HERMIONE
I rub my arm as I walk towards Aiden, having managed to calm down during the drive while taking in the scenery.
We both get into Aiden's car, and he begins to drive away from the woods.
"Are you calm now?" Aiden asks, his eyes fixed on the road.
I nod, briefly sucking in my upper lip before exhaling.
Aiden glances at me. "What happened?"
He had examined my face earlier in the woods, clearly relieved to see that I'm unharmed. I sense that he's trying to determine if my mother had struck me again, prompting my reaction.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. "I may be officially jobless soon," I say nonchalantly. The pay cut is set to take effect in two days, and it's possible this could escalate to termination of my employment.
"Did she explicitly mention laying you off?" Aide
