78

Nate returned to the office the following Monday. The weekend had been a blur. He barely spoke to Ruby and remained in his den. It still hurt that she didn’t trust him and he tried to push the hurt away.

He had received a couple of stares from his staff but paid no attention to them. He couldn’t help the bile that rose to his throat each time he thought of how they betrayed him. It felt more awkward because he couldn’t tell who was on his side and who wasn’t.

He groaned as he opened his laptop.

Maggie brought in toast and a Diet Coke for him.

He mumbled something in response and got to work immediately.

It felt a little good to be at his desk again with a view of the busy city. The only difference was how empty he felt. Ruby’s office seemed so bare, all the decorations she hung up before were now gone and the office was back to its original state.

All he had were memories of her at her desk, typing away or slacking at work. He had caught her slacking so many times but let