Seraphina's Point Of View
The hallway still buzzed behind me.
Whispers. Half-hidden stares. The kind of attention that clings to your back like humidity… annoying, invasive, impossible to shake.
"Ms. Vale—"
"Is it true—"
"Are you really—"
I didn't stop. Didn't slow. Didn't even turn.
"Later," I tossed over my shoulder, keeping my voice calm, clipped, professional… even if inside, my thoughts were still doing backflips. My pulse hammered in my ears, a reminder that the morning's chaos hadn't quite released its grip on me.
God, I need a moment. Just one. Before I start throwing laptops. My heels clicked sharply against the floor as I turned the corner and pushed open my office door, already anticipating the sanctuary of silence.
And froze.
Rose was there.
