I didn’t say anything to the bartender about the doubts gnawing at the edges of my mind. Instead, over the next couple of days, I buried myself in work, pushing aside the irritation that simmered in my heart. I threw myself into finalizing three manuscripts, meticulously combing through each one, as if perfecting those words could somehow silence the unease inside me. Dominika even commented on my efficiency, a rare compliment from someone who rarely spared words for anything other than critiques. It was almost ironic—here I was, pouring myself into every page, every paragraph, yet my mind wandered back to everything else I was trying to ignore.
Later, while grabbing coffee in the breakroom, Ella leaned against the counter with that knowing look in her eyes. She tilted her head, watching
