It’s been a month since that night. I haven’t seen Noah nor do I wish to. I regret that night more than <b>I </b>regret any other mistake I’ve ever done in my life.


    I want to me it on being high, but I can’t. I had chances–so many chances to leave. To get in my car.


    To push him away when he kissed me. But I didn’t. I stayed. And that’s on me.


    I me myself for being weak. For letting those grey eyes lure me in. For falling under his spell when I knew better. I wasn’t strong enough to walk away, and I resent myself for that.


    I thought I could forget that night–but it still haunts me. The memory presses on me like a weight I can’t dig myself out from under.


    The taste of his lips. Those stormy eyes. The way his body moved against mine. His groans, his pleasure. They haunt me even in sleep. I’ve tried everything to erase them, but nothing works. That night is branded on my mind like a fucking tattoo.


    Sighing, I force myself to focus. I stare down at the petri dish in front of me, willing myself to think about work–about the research, the samples. Anything but him.


    “Sierra?” one of my teammates calls gently. “Are you okay? You’ve been distracted ofte.”


    Before I can answer, a mocking voice cuts in.


    “She’s probably thinking about how she’s going to use her connections to climb thedder once again.”


    And thatdies and gentlemen, is Jocelyn. My work nemesis. I’m sure almost everyone has one of those.


    I re at her. “I’m not in the mood, Jocelyn.”


    “Do I look like I give a damn?” she sneers, practically baring her teeth.


    “Seriously, what’s your problem?” Benjamin or Benji as we like to call him, asks, “You’re always picking on Sierra.”


    “I’m not picking on her. She’s just weak and pathetic,” Jocelyn spits, clicking her tongue.


    God, I hate her stinking attitude. I never understood why but she’s had it out for me since we were in Uni. I ignored her at first, but eventually, her relentless bitterness infected me too, I started hating her back.


    I thought I’d be free of her after graduation. But fate had other ns. We were the top two students and ended up recruited by the samepany.


    “Could you stop with the bitchy attitude?” I growl through clenched teeth. “We’ve got a deadline. Maybe focus on that instead of running your damn mouth.”


    “Oh, I will,” she shrugs. “But I can’t wait for the day you fall from grace. I swear I’ll throw a fucking party to


    celebrate it.”


    “Sorry to disappoint you,” I mutter tly, “but that day isn’ting anytime soon.”


    She opens her mouth again, but Benji cuts her off.


    “Sierra is our team lead. Show some respect,” he snaps.


    I almost tell him that I’m used to it, that this. that this isn’t anything new, and that it’s just Jocelyn being


    her usual bitchy self, but I hold back. I’m too nauseous, too tired and definitely not in the mood for a fight.


    Instead, I offer him a small, grateful smile.


    “She only got the job because of who she knows,” Jocelyn mutters under her breath. “That position


    should’ve been mine.”


    Jocely had always been in a weirdpetition with me. She’s convinced my connections to the Woods


    and Beckett names are why I got into uni. Why I got this job. Why I became team lead.


    Truth be told, Aunt Harper sponsored my studies, but I got into Uni because of my high scores.


    Aunt Ava, Aunt Harper, Uncle Rowan and Uncle Gabe would do anything for me if I asked. I know that,


    but I’ve never taken advantage of their kindness. I am where I am because I worked for it, not because it


    was handed to me on a silver te.


    I tried to exin all this–tried <i>to </i>show her I earned everything on my own. But she never listened and


    chose her delusions.