Chapter 10
Hearing Ava’s name, Tina’s temper snapped. She grabbed Christine’s arm and marched straight into Brad’s office.
“Ava, you’ve crossed the line! Christine never did anything to you. What gives you the right to punish her? She’s Brad’s secretary–she has nothing to do with you. Who do you think you are, acting like you run this place just because you’re with him?”
Brad was there too. As soon as he saw Christine, clearly upset and disheveled, he frowned, ready to ask what was going on. But before he could say a word, Ava rushed over and threw herself into his arms.
“Brad, I swear, I didn’t do anything! I barely even know Ms. Sayles, why would I make her kneel? I don’t get it…I must’ve done something without realizing, but now she’s accusing me of all this…”
Listening to Ava twist the story, Tina lost it. She stormed over and slapped Ava, hard.
“Stop lying! Christine would never make things up!”
Ava had never been humiliated like this. She clutched her cheek and started crying, her voice trembling. “Brad, your secretary is slandering me, and now your sister is ganging up on me too. Fine! Clearly you’re all on one side. Let’s just break up!“}
The words hit Brad hard. His face went pale, then cold. He stood up and slapped Tina across the face.
“Enough! Tina, how long are you going to keep this up? Ava’s your future sister–in–law!“}
Then he turned to Christine, his voice icy. “Why are you making things up about Ava? Do this again, and you’re done as my secretary.“§ Tina stood frozen, her hand on her cheek, looking at the brother she thought she knew.
Christine instantly regretted dragging Tina into this mess. She pulled Tina out of the office.
Tina was still fuming, wanting to go back and argue, but Christine had no choice. She finally told Tina the truth–she’d already quit, and she was planning to leave the city for good.
She shook her head, her voice shaky. “It’s over, Tina. I’m leaving.”
At that, all Tina’s anger melted away, replaced by heartbreak. She hugged Christine tight, crying and begging her not to go. Christine ran a hand soothingly over Tina’s back, her own eyes red. “Tina, nothing lasts forever. We have to let go sometime.“}
Tina only cried harder.N
On Christine’s last day in the city, they went out for dinner, talking about everything and nothing, nostalgia hanging between them.” That night, Tina didn’t go home. She squeezed into Christine’s cramped little apartment, not wanting her to be alone.§ Christine promised, over and over, that she’d keep in touch no matter what, that she’d tell Tina right away if she ever met someone new. They stayed up all night, talking about the past, the present, and what the future might look like.
By sunrise, Tina drove Christine to the airport herself.
As they hugged goodbye, Tina’s phone buzzed. A message from Brad: Where are you?”
Stili angry about the night before, Tina was ready to call and yell at him, but Christine quickly stopped her.§
“Let it go, Tina,” she said quietly. “The past is over. Don’t fight with Ava for me anymore. Brad really loves her, and she’s going to be your sister–in–law. Just try to get along, okay?“}
Tina’s eyes filled with tears again.
Soon, it was time to board.
They hugged one last time. Christine waved and disappeared through the gate.
Before she boarded, Christine sent Brad one last message:
“Eight years of a silent crush. Four years wasted on dreams. It all ends here. Mr. Tate, I’m no longer your secretary, and I don’t love you anymore. Let’s go our own ways. There’s no need for us to meet again.“}]
She didn’t wait for his reply. She blocked his number, deleted all his contacts, and walked onto the plane without looking back.”
