Chapter 222


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    The steady hum of the office greeted me as I settled into my desk, the soft glow of theputer


    screen casting a familiar light across the workspace. With the weekend looming ahead, there was


    an air of excitement that mingled with the usual workday routine. I was determined to tie up loose


    ends before my much–anticipated


    escape to akeview cabin with friends.


    My fingers danced across the keyboard, navigating through documents and emails, ensuring that


    everything was in order. The responsibilities of my new role demanded attention to detail, and I


    prided myself on leaving no task unfinished. As I delved into my work, the asional nce at the


    clock served as a gentle reminder that the weekend was drawing near.


    The atmosphere in the office seemed different, a subtle shift that brought a sense of camaraderie


    among my coworkers. Perhaps it was the impending break or the shared anticipation of having a


    more personable boss. overlooking them. Whatever the reason, the normally polite exchanges took


    on a warmer tone.


    Amid the organized chaos of the office, I found myself engaging in casual conversations with my


    coworkers. Beth and Sarah, my trusted confidantes in the workce, beckoned me over to their


    desks. The backdrop of family photos and quirky desk essories, which hadn’t been allowed


    previously, created an atmosphere of familiarity andfort.


    “Evie, you’re glowing today,” said Beth, propping her chin up in one hand. “Big ns for the


    weekend?”


    I chuckled, nodding. “Heading to akeview cabin with some friends. Need a break from the city


    hustle, you know?”


    Sarah leaned in, her eyes filled with curiosity. “Sounds like a dream. Anyone special joining you?


    Spill the details, Evie.”


    “A special hockey yer, perhaps?” Beth added.


    A bashful smile crept across my face as I considered how to navigate the question. “Well, Timothy


    dropped me off this morning. He’s one of the friendsing along.”


    Their eyes widened in unison, and the atmosphere took on a yful energy. Beth nudged me with


    her elbow, a knowing smile on her face. “Timothy, huh?”


    I nodded, feeling a sudden surge of self–consciousness. “Yeah, he’sing. We’re all just friends


    getting together


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    for a weekend getaway.”


    Sarah exchanged a nce with Beth, and they shared a subtle grin. “You don’t look at him like ‘just


    a friend,“” Beth teased, causing my cheeks to flush.


    “Don’t be shy, Evie. Any girl would be lucky to wind up with a hockey star like Timothy,” Sarah


    added with a yful wink. “Seems like only yesterday, people were hailing Timothy and Ste as


    some sort of power couple.”


    “Oh, yes! Everyone thought they were meant to be together forever,” Beth added, taking a sip of her


    coffee. “But our girl Evie wasn’t having any of that,” Sarah continued, shing me a knowing smile.


    I felt


    my


    cheeks flush at the mention. “I–I don’t think-”


    “No need to be modest, Evie. You and Timothy have something special,” Beth said, nudging me


    yfully.


    I chuckled nervously; feeling like the center of attention. The conversation veered toward other


    topics, but the unease lingered within me. The guilt over the mention of Ste and the insinuations


    about Timothy and me gnawed at my conscience.


    I wondered fleetingly if Ste had moved on, if she had found sce with Andy after the


    engagement was called off with Timothy. Timothy may have never loved her, but Ste seemed to


    be truly attached to him. Not even Andy seemed to be a factor in her decisions, despite what the


    two were doing outside of the public’s eye.


    My coworkers seemed genuinely delighted by the idea of Timothy and me being together. Any of


    the previous shame around it seemed like a distant memory.


    As the clock ticked away, the friendly banter created a lighthearted ambiance, momentarily


    distracting me from the meticulous work that still demanded attention.


    As I navigated through the remaining tasks, the office buzzed with the collective energy of a team


    looking forward to a well–deserved break. My junior attorneys were eager to help with my workload,


    desperate to get some experience in the legal field.


    As a senior associate, my schedule had be unpredictable, with cases and deadlines dictating


    the rhythm of my day. I had just wrapped up a particrly intense meeting, thinking I’d be tethered


    to my desk for at least another hour, but we managed to finish earlier than expected.


    I caught the eye of my remaining co–workers, exchanging exhausted smiles and nods. As I


    approached the exit, I called out to the small cluster of colleagues still immersed in thest throes of


    the workday.


    2/4


    Dreame


    Emergency calls un


    “I’m going to grab dinner. See you all next week!” I announced.


    The chorus of farewells followed me as I made my way to the elevators, the metallic doors sliding


    shut behind me with a finality that echoed the end of the workday. The city outside awaited, its


    streets alive with the ebb and flow of post–office life.


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    Stepping onto the sidewalk, I inhaled the cool evening air, savoring the liberation that came with


    shedding the professional armor. The familiar rhythm of my footsteps echoed in the emptying


    streets as I headed toward my favorite food stand down the block.


    As I approached the food stand, the savory aroma of grilled delights enveloped me, and my


    anticipation heightened. My phone buzzed in my pocket, a message from Timothy. “Running a bit


    late. The traffic is awful!” he typed, apanied by a sad emoji.


    I


    A smile tugged at my lips as I replied, “No worries. Take your time, I’m grabbing dinner.”


    Ordering a ffel wrap, I found a quiet bench to enjoy my impromptu meal. The savory vors


    mingled with the crisp breeze, and for a moment, I imagined how our trip at the cabin would


    unravel.


    As I made my way back to the firm, an unsettling feeling crept over me. The vibrant city seemed to


    lose its usual charm, and the once–familiar faces blurred into a sea of strangers. I quickened my


    pace, trying to shake off the unease, but the sensation persisted like a shadow at my heels.


    My phone buzzed with a message from Timothy, and as I nced down to read it, the hairs on the


    back of my neck prickled. I had the distinct impression that someone was watching me. A shiver ran


    down my spine, and I instinctively looked around, but the crowded street offered no clues.


    “Get a grip, Evie,” I muttered to myself, attributing the paranoia to stress and an overactive


    imagination. I continued walking, shoulders hunched, the click of my heels echoing in the empty


    spaces between my thoughts. Timothy said he would be arriving soon, fortunately.


    When I turned a corner, I heard it–the distinct sound of another set of steps, matching my pace. My


    heart raced as the footsteps grew louder, hastening with every stride I took. Panic surged through


    me, and I dared not nce


    back.


    Just as I began to convince myself that I was being ridiculous, a hand mped firmly on my


    shoulder from behind. I gasped, turning around in shock, only to be met with a sight that both


    surprised and relieved me.


    “Ste?”