CHAPTER FORTY-SIXTHE FIRST BLOOD
ARIELLE Arielle hadn’t shown up at work in four days. Technically, she was still on the schedule. Her reports were submitted remotely, her campaign data perfectly up to date. But her desk sat cold and empty. Her office light remained off. And for anyone who passed by, there was no mistaking it—Arielle was retreating. From Ashe & Locke. From Damien. From everything. She kept her phone on silent. A dozen missed calls from Damien. Some from Nina too. She hadn’t answered any of them. The weight in her chest was growing unbearable, pressing down harder with every passing hour. She hated hiding. Hated feeling like the weak link in the story she and Damien were trying to write. But she couldn’t shake the guilt. Or the fear. If she was the reason the company crashed… if she was the scandal
- Writer
