Vespriatimed end, rumb. She had just set her coffee down in her office before heading to the president''s office.


    Dominic stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at his phone. He seemed to have just finished ?rall.


    vespera lonked closely at his neck There was a band-aid on it. She spoke calmly. "Me. Beid, is there something you need?:


    "Come with me to the hospitalter."


    "To get your rables shot?


    Dominic''s fingers froze mid-motion: He tumed to look at her. "What?"


    Vespeta suppressed the initation rising in her chest. "I heard about it. You were out for a walkst night and were bitten by a cat.


    *I know it might sound nude, but I still have to say that if the cat didn''t mess with you, maybe don''t mess with the cat


    Dominic''s gaze lingered enter, deep and unreadable.


    Then, he walked over to his desk, set his phone down, and sat. "I never said anything aboue being birten during a walk.


    "I''m guessing Raymond and Gerard saw the band-aid and couldn''t think of a reason, so they made something no, Cats are cute why would I bolly on


    Vespera staved silent. She knew perfectly well he wasn''t actually going to the hospital for a


    But knowing how he liked to say things just to mess with people, the mention of the hospital-plus derand''s earlierment had made her assume he was talding another jab at her.


    "So the hospital is for.


    "Te visit someone.


    Vespera felt awkward. She nodded. "Got it I''ll head out, then"


    She took two steps back, rumed around, and walked out


    As soon as she stepped outside, she saw Gerarding from the break room with a mug in hand.


    He leaned in and whispered, "Is he going to the hospital? I saw him this moming, staring at his neck in the mirror. He looked bothered. No idea how bad the bite way. Like, what was he doing messing with those sketchy strays in the neighborhood?"


    Vespera sad nothing, feeling a wave of quiet, dull despair.


    She nced at his mug, filled with all kinds of herbstle leat, maca root, and who knew what else. She changed the subject. "What are you drinking


    Gerard said, "Vital brew."


    "oh" Looks good. Can I have some?


    "This tea''s not for you."


    "Hub?


    Seeing her confusion, he sent hera link. "But you could get some for your dad." Vespera clicked it


    The headline jumped out at her. "Every Man''s Dream: Feel Like a King with a Potent Blend a Premium Herbs-100% Satisfaction or Your Money Backd


    Every single word was bold and ck. Impossible to ignore.


    "Gerard, you" Vespera gave him a look that was hard to describe. "You don''t need to try that hard.


    With that, she went into her office.


    Gerard stared after her, then looked down at the cup of vital brew in his hand,pletely confused.


    He took a sip What did she mean, don''t try so hard? Did Vespera think he was already strong enough?


    After the morning meeting, Dominic took Vespera to the hospital.


    On the way, they passed a flower shop. He told her to pull over. He wanted to go in and buy some flowers.


    Sarting in the car, Vespera watched his back as he walked into the store, quietly wondering if he was visiting a woman.


    A momentter, became back out in his hands was bouquet of duysanthemums?


    She blinked, Harding her eyes werep


    e ying tricksonfire. Who brings cluysanthemums to a hospital visit?


    Oh he got in the car, she nend at the flowers he''d ced beside him.


    Those were ind chrysanthemums inderd white and yellow, wrapped in sleek, Idgh-end ck papes. The whole thing screamed funeral.


    "Mr.Brid, may Tad when you''re visiting?"


    "A highly inspected elder "


    Vespiadell silent.


    Aneider? Was the person nearing the end?


    She didn''t ask any more questions and quietly started the car.


    Ashour whileter, they arrived at the hospital.