I showered, dressed, and went to work like nothing had happened. Like my world hadn’t quietly tilted overnight.
The office buzzed with its usual rhythm phones ringing, keyboards clicking, footsteps echoing down the hall. I had barely settled at my desk when the atmosphere shifted.
Selena arrived.
She walked in like she owned the place, heels sharp against the floor, confidence dripping from every step. But when her eyes met mine, something flickered.
Not triumph.
Unease.
She approached slowly, placing her bag down with deliberate care. “Good morning, Annie,” she said sweetly. Too sweet. “I hope you had a… pleasant birthday.”
I looked up calmly. “I did.”
Her smile tightened. “I saw your i********: story.”
“I’m sure you did.”
Silence stretched between us, heavy and charged.
“So,”
