Noreen had no idea why Seth was here.
Not that she cared to find out.
After a fleeting nce in his direction, she shut down her emotions and strode inside.
But Seth was standing right by the entrance; if she wanted <i>to </i>get home, she’d have to walk past him.
In that moment, Noreen could only hope he’d pretend not to see her.
No such luck.
As she drew closer, Seth spoke, his voice colder than the night itself. “Why are you getting home sote?”
He sounded like he had every right to question her.
Noreen almostughed out loud.
Who did he think he was, demanding answers from her?
When she didn’t respond, Seth reached out and grabbed her arm.
The movement pulled at the wound on her elbow, and she couldn’t suppress a sharp intake of breath.
Realization dawned on Seth’s face; he quickly let go, his brow creasing even deeper than before.
“Where are you hurt?”
“Is it serious?”
He sounded concerned.
But his concern came far toote, and felt far too hollow.
Noreen had stopped wanting it a long time ago. Now, it meant nothing.
“What do you want, Seth? Just say it.”
Her voice was cold and unyielding, making Seth frown again. For the first time, he seemed to realize her recent distance might have something to do with him.
Seth, uncharacteristically, softened his tone. “About appointing Bianca as the new
29.05
department <b>head</b><b>–</b><b>I </b><b>should’ve </b><b>told </b><b>you </b><b>in </b><b>advance</b>. <b>Things </b>were <b>just</b>… hectic, and 1 didn’t get the chance<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Busy. The perfect excuse.
It worked in every situation, every rtionship.
Except for the ones where it mattered most.
Because then, it was just another way of brushing someone off.
Noreen heard his exnation, but it didn’t stir anything inside her.
“Are you finished? Can I go now?”
Seth hadn’t expected this.
After seven years together, what he’d always valued most about Noreen was how understanding she was–never pushing, neverpeting, always capable.
He’d always assumed she’d ept whatever he decided, no matter what. That if there was ever a misunderstanding, he only needed to exin, and she’d believe him without question.
But not this time.
The warmth in her eyes was gone, reced by a cool detachment that blended into the night.
Something about her indifference unsettled him.
“Noreen, I’ve said what I needed to say. I get that you’re upset, but you need to know
when to stop.”
“Skipping work for no reason–that ends here.”
His tone slipped back intomand.
“I understand,” Noreen replied, lowering her gaze to hide whatever flickered in her
eyes.
Seth’s brow finally rxed. “It’ste. Get some rest. We’ve got that board meeting in the morning, so be at the office early to prepare.”
“These past few days you’ve been gone, your assistant’s made a mess of things. We’re behind on a lot.”
Noreen wanted to point out that if he hadn’t dyed her, she’d have been home and in bed by now.
22:06
<b>From </b><b>the </b><b>way </b><b>Seth </b><b>lingered</b><b>, </b><b>it </b>was <b>clear </b><b>he </b><b>nned </b><b>to </b><b>follow </b><b>her </b><b>upstairs </b>
<b>She </b>was <b>about </b><b>to refuse </b>when <b>Seth’s </b>private phone rang.
<b>This </b>time, Noreen didn’t even bother ncing <b>at </b>the screen. Any curiosity <b>she’d </b>once had about his life was long gone.
Seth seemed to know exactly who was calling. He didn’t answer in front <b>of her </b><b>just </b>said, “Go on inside.”
Noreen turned and walked away.
She’d barely reached the elevators when she heard his voice behind her, speaking into the phone. “Bianca, what is it?”
Of course.
The elevator doors slid open. Noreen stepped inside, pressed the ‘close‘ button without hesitation, and prayed for the world outside to disappear.