ALICE
The hallway outside the conference room feels longer than it ever has.
My heels strike the floor in steady rhythm, my back straight, my expression calm enough that no one would guess how much of myself I have just peeled away in that room.
The doors closed behind me with a soft final click, sealing the end of one war, even though the battle is far from over.
"We will definitely win the battle as well," Aria reassures and I nod in agreement as I hastened towards the elevator and I almost made it.
Almost being the key word.
“Alice.”
I stop.
I do not turn immediately. I already know who it is.
I know the cadence of that voice, the way it always carried authority when it came to me and never warmth.
When I finally turned around to face him, he was not alone, they were standin
