THE PAST HE NEVER EXPECTED

Julia's POV

The morning after the confrontation felt heavy.

People in the office stared at me like I'd grown a second head. Some looked curious. Some resentful. Some terrified — of me, or of the man who'd defended me, I couldn't tell.

I kept my head low, clutching the files to my chest, trying desperately not to think about Alan's voice whispering:

"I don't like sharing what's mine."

Every breath I took felt like a betrayal of that moment.

I told myself to forget it.To bury it.To remind myself