Chapter 222


    Chapter 222


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    The steady hum of the office greeted me as | 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. | 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 | prided myself on leaving no task unfinished. As | 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, | 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?”


    | 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 | 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?”


    | 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 feltExclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    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.


    | 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.


    | 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 | 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. | 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.


    | caught the eye of my remaining co-workers, exchanging exhausted smiles and nods. As | approached the exit, | called out to


    the small cluster of colleagues still immersed in thest throes of the workday.


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    Dreame


    Emergency calls un


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


    The chorus of farewells followed me as | 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.


    Stepping onto the sidewalk, | 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 | headed toward my favorite food stand down the


    block.


    As | 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 bitte. The traffic is awful!” he typed, apanied by a sad emoji.


    I


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


    Ordering a ffel wrap, | found a quiet bench to enjoy my impromptu meal. The savory vors mingled with the crisp breeze,


    and for a moment, | imagined how our trip at the cabin would unravel.


    As | 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. | 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 | nced down to read it, the hairs on the back of my neck prickled. |


    had the distinct impression that someone was watching me. A shiver ran down my spine, and | instinctively looked around, but


    the crowded street offered no clues.


    “Get a grip, Evie,” | muttered to myself, attributing the paranoia to stress and an overactive imagination. | 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 | turned a corner, | 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 | took. Panic surged through me, and | dared not nce


    back.


    Just as | began to convince myself that | was being ridiculous, a hand mped firmly on my shoulder from behind. | gasped,


    turning around in shock, only to be met with a sight that both surprised and relieved me.


    “Ste?”