na'

artment was small and nothing like the spacious apartme

ng against the doorframe as I unpacked my clothes from my battered box. "Alpha

ly wished she was right. "Everything he did was out of guilt. His sist

don't run on guilt. They don't do favors for fun either

nt q

eyes stripped me bare without a single touch. It felt like desire or interes

vous smile, "even if it's guilt, use it. Go thank him.

sharply. "No.

nked. "

enge game. I just want my life back; a new job and stability. I don't ne

d for your own good. Do you even know how long i

then softened. "But h

ul men. I'm tired of being someone they pick up and th

y backing down. "Y

it in her eyes, she thought I was

box, my hands steady

his warmth and his touches still lingered in m

ur years. That was how long I had given this place; late nights, missed holid

my name calmly. "I'm here

clicked, frowned, then typed again. Minutes passed

"Elena Grey. I w

"There's no need to explain. I'm

n. Then she turned the screen slightly tow

glanced at the screen, n

"Your name doesn't appear in

was joking. "That's impossible.

re are no contracts. No payroll records. No benefits

ed. "Then ho

me. "All expenses tied to you wen

erstand," I said slowly. "I worked on company

never officially hired. Which means, legally sp

"So you're saying.

rom a corporate

eck. "Mark was my b

l smile. "Let's call it what it r

k. "I'm not asking for favors. I'm a

Grey, from where we stand, you were not dismissed.

arrangement

emanding company compensation

ly and humiliating, My

tayed here for four yea

hink you're being very bol

ier. I realized then this wasn't confu

oposal you worked on had Mark's name listed as lead," she

ck. "I drafted those proposals. I ran t

gh. "And how exactly

aid. "Emails. Meeting lo

ernal access is restricted.

said firmly. "You'll see me here every day. Early mornin

d. "CCTV footage

g someone's la

nned. "Carefu

telling me I worked here for four years and

he said, cool and sharp, "Perhaps yo

as I stared at her. "

the primary lead on every project. Who'

d. "Say it clear

ng. "People might assume your i

cusing me of sleeping my way throu

t from the company's perspective, Mark

ed. "I want this to escal

nstead. "Security," she said into

appeared mo

ed with the company," she said, s

back. "You c

cold and final. "

ght. I couldn't. As they led me away

nd I was dragged out like I'

ffice, I stumbled straight into a so

fr

rthy, and dangerous, wrapped around me like a

ed close to my ear,

into you. you look like the wor

Tho

presence closed in, and I realized with a sic