Chapter 17
He walked into the office right as the workday kicked off. People were coming and going, but almost everyone kept sneaking glances at the same spot in the open workspace–some looked shocked, others just awkwardly sympathetic.}
Ava was a wreck. Her hair was tangled, mascara smudged all over her face. She clearly hadn’t slept at all. Security had made her kneel for ages, and she looked like she might pass out any second. But what really broke her was the way people were watching–those sidelong stares, the whispers.
She used to shine here, always the one everyone admired. And now? She was just a spectacle, humiliated in front of everyone. The embarrassment made her burn with fury–especially toward Christine.
Suddenly, Ava lost it. She screamed, her voice echoing through the office.”
“Christine! You bitch! This is all because of you! Brad would never treat me like this if you hadn’t gotten in the way!“}]
“Why don’t you just die? Things would be so much better! You dared to seduce Brad–what are you, some kind of slut?”
Her shrieks tore through the usual office chatter, but nobody rushed to her defense. Times had changed. Now that she’d lost her power, her insults just made everyone look at her with disgust.
A few of Christine’s friends fired back right away.
“How can you say that about Ms. Sayles? She worked her butt off here for four years–never did anything wrong. You’re the one who bullied her from day one.”
“Exactly. Christine never did a thing to you, Ms. Smith. She’s already left, and you still can’t let her go.“”
“You always picked on her, and now you want to blame her for your mess? Take a good look at yourself. You’re the real problem here.“}
All around, people were whispering, pointing. Ava looked like she’d come unhinged. She wanted to slap every last one of them, but the guards kept her pinned, forced to kneel and scream until her voice was raw.
“You’re all trash! Did Christine pay you off or sleep with you? Why else would you defend her?“}
She was practically foaming at the mouth now, yelling whatever came to mind. People started frowning, fed up with her meltdown.}]
Right then, Brad walked in and caught the end of Ava’s rant. His face was unreadable–cold and distant.M
He’d only wanted her to think about her actions, maybe realize she’d gone too far. He never expected her to double down, blaming Christine for everything.
Brad moved across the floor, and as soon as people saw him coming, they cleared a path. Even security let Ava go. She scrambled straight to him, grabbing his leg, sobbing and glaring all at once.
“Brad, help me! They’re all Christine’s minions! They’re ganging up on me! Fire them–fire all of them!“N
She whipped around, pointing furiously at the people who’d spoken up.
“Her! Her! And him! They’re all traitors!“}
Ava was shaking with anger. The people she singled out just stared at the floor, silent. But Brad didn’t defend her the way she expected. Instead, he kicked her away.”
“I told you to reflect on your behavior. This is what you come up with? Ava, you have nothing now, and you still want to drag everyone down with you? I had no idea you could be this vicious.”
“I heard what they said–and they’re right. Christine didn’t do anything wrong. You’re the one who pushed her out.“>
Ava collapsed, tears streaming down her face.”
“You’re supposed to love me, Brad! You love me, not her!”
Brad looked down at her, his eyes cold.
“I love Christine.”
The whole office went dead silent. Some people stared in shock, others just gaped. But Brad looked relieved, like he’d finally said something he’d been holding in for years.
He Jet out a breath, ignored Ava’s shattered expression, and said it again, steady and sure.
“I love Christine.“%
“As for you, whatever feelings I had are long gone. This was all a mistake. I’m going to find Christine and make things right. Ava, we’re done. Leave.”
Ava’s eyes widened in disbelief. She started laughing and crying at the same time, completely falling apart.
“You want me to leave? Brad, listen to me–Christine didn’t leave because of me. She left because of you!”
“You think I don’t know what really happened? You slept with her for four years and never gave her a real place in your life. The second I
came back, you ran straight to me. You’re the one who drove her away!“}
No one at the company had ever known about Brad and Christine. Now, with Ava’s outburst, the truth exploded in the room. Brad’s face turned dark as everyone tried to process what they just heard.
