You Are Mine Little Sister (by Syra Tucker) novel Chapter 102

RALI

The engine rumbled to a stop, slipping into place between the maze of parked cars.

My head leaned against the headrest, eyes slipping shut as I pulled in a breath meant to steady me. It didn't.

"We can do this, Rali." Veronica's hand found my thigh. "You won't be alone for a single second. I promise."

Looking out the window, My eyes landed on the bold signage crowning the tall structure: Fable and Fabric.

My stomach twisted.

So this would be the last time I'd see it like this.

Moments later, we were stepping through the glass doors into the busy reception. The air inside smelled of fresh polish and artificial lemon, exactly the same as always.

A few of the staff that knew me appeared surprised as the knit tank top and wide-leg beige slacks didn't look work-ready.

I avoided their eyes, shrinking into myself as we moved toward the elevator.

But the real trial came on my floor.

The moment the elevator opened, I was swallowed by friendly faces and the buzz of confused voices.

"Rali?"

"You're late today—everything okay?"

"That's not your usual outfit…"

"Are you here to call in sick?"

"You could've just emailed, you know."

I bled inside and answered each one with the softest deflections I could muster.

I caught sight of Evie in the corner. She leaned with a mean look on her face and didn't come over. Thank goodness.

At last, Veronica and I made it to Grayson's office.

He was there, calmly seated and typing one-handed.

My chest pulled in on itself, tight like it had been zipped shut from the inside.

The flashbacks were violent:

Slammed against the wall. «Don't waste your breath, Ze. Trust me, I've got every one here under my wraps.»

«You should relax and enjoy this, Zerali»

My hand tightened on the strap of my bag.

God. This man was rot in human skin.

"Zerali."

My name in his voice made my soul recoil. I never thought I'd hate the sound of my name on someone's tongue until now.

I stood intentionally far from his desk.

"Damn it, can you stop talking?"

"Why?" It was my turn to cut in.

Finally, I could find my voice.

"She's saying the exact thing I'd say to you, Mr. Knightley. The only difference is the voice."

He sighed, heavily this time, and dropped the letter onto the desk. Then, he leaned forward, locking his knuckles into each other.

"Zerali, I understand how you feel. Believe me, you have every right to feel this way. I mean... I crossed a line. Okay? I was... blinded by an obsession I should've been smart enough to control."

His voice softened with that soft tone he used when trying to appear human. "I'm sorry. I've been thinking about what happened and I was hoping maybe we could talk. Tell me how to fix this. Tell me what to do."

I stared at him with the same detachment you give to a framed photo of someone you used to love but now barely recognize.

I remembered how he used to smile at me. How he used to praise me, single me out, choose me for projects. Naive me had thought he was simply being kind. Little did I know he only wanted to get under my pants.

"it's over, Mr. Knightley." My voice was steel. "Even if someone held a gun to my temple, it still wouldn't be enough to drag me back into this place."

His jaw ticked, so slight it might've been mistaken for nothing. But I saw it. And I felt the flicker of disappointment that tried to hide behind the cold sheen of his gaze.

He leaned back in his chair with the slow ease of a man who'd given up the game of acting polite.

"Well, I'm afraid I can't accept your resignation, Ms. Hayes."

I scoffed. Now, I was Ms. Hayes, huh?

"Protocol requires a one-week notice before resignation. You'll need to keep working until then."