ARIA
The sound of his phone broke whatever that moment was.
Knox didn’t move at first, his jaw tense as the buzzing continued. Then, slowly, he stepped away and answered.
“Speak.”
His voice was clipped. Cold.
He didn’t glance back.
I took the out.
Without thinking, I grabbed my phone, turned, and walked away—out of his office, into the hallway, down the elevator. My hand trembled as I hit the button, but I didn’t stop moving.
By the time the doors closed, I was still holding my breath.
---
I ended up at the office.
Not because I had to be there—technically, I wasn’t even scheduled—but because I needed somewhere familiar. Somewhere safe.
I dropped into my chair and stared at my screen like it might tell me who the hell I was turning into.
Because this? This wasn’t normal.
I wa
