Chapter 6
One simple sentence, and it cut through Christine like a knife, sharp and merciless. She felt her heart–already battered and bruised–splintering apart, the pain so raw it stole her breath.”
Her mind buzzed with static, her eyes fixed and hollow. At some point, everyone else had left the grand hall, leaving her alone under the glare of harsh lights that laid every bruise bare, every hurt impossible to hide.“]
Gritting her teeth, Christine pushed herself up. She grabbed the coat a thoughtful waiter had tossed aside and wrapped it tightly around her, then staggered out, desperate to leave it all behind.
Outside, rain crashed down in sheets. Without even thinking, she walked straight into it. The cold drops slapped her skin, running down like tears–but she had none left to cry.”
She wandered without aim, drifting through empty streets, not caring where she went–just putting one foot in front of the other.
A car pulled alongside her. The window slid down, and Brad’s face appeared, handsome and distant.”
“Get in,” he called.
Christine kept walking, barely registering his voice, her body heavy and numb.
Brad’s tone sharpened. “Christine. Get in the car.“}
She stopped, finally, lifting her pale, exhausted face to meet his gaze.}
“You don’t need to worry about me, Mr. Tate. I’m just your secretary–nothing more.”
Her words were ice–cold, slicing straight through Brad’s composure.
He jumped out of the car, rain soaking him as he reached for her hand, gripping it tightly.
“I know tonight was a mess, and I’m sorry. But I’ve already lost Ava once–I can’t lose her again. Christine, I’ll make it up to you. Don’t shut me out because of this.”
But Christine didn’t back down this time.
She jerked her hand free, using every last bit of strength she had, her voice flat and lifeless.
“You’re joking, right? Someone like me would never dare hold a grudge against you or Ms. Smith. I was stupid once–too naive to know my place. But from now on, I’ll remember: I’m just your secretary. I won’t bother you again. Is that what you want? Will you let me go now?”
The more she spoke, the angrier Brad became. His face darkened, and his voice lost its restraint,
“That’s not what I meant! I’ve never looked down on you. I only said what I did to calm Ava down. To me, you and Tina-”
Christine didn’t hear the rest. Everything blurred. Her eyelids felt impossibly heavy, her strength completely gone.}
She swayed, then crumpled, falling into darkness.}
She had no idea how much time had passed before she opened her eyes again.
She was in a hospital room. Her wet clothes were gone, replaced by a clean gown. Every wound was bandaged. Medicine and a cup of warm water sat on the nightstand.
A nurse was adjusting her IV. When she noticed Christine was awake, she smiled warmly.
“Awake? Your boyfriend stayed with you all night. He just left.“}
Christine parted her dry lips and managed a rough, broken whisper.
“He’s not my boyfriend. He never was.”}
She and Brad–whatever had happened between them, it was always a mistake.
She’d only ever been his secretary. Brad had never seen her as anything more.
She used to fool herself, dreaming of a future that would never be hers.
Now, she just wanted to wake up for good.
And leave–for good. Never looking back.”
