Chapter 3

Gideon's POV

Mallory's expression faltered for a split second. She took half a step forward, her lips parting as if she wanted to say something. But with so many people around, all she said was, "Come to my office, Mr. Lyle."

Once the door closed, she said, "Gideon, I'll only be making things messier if I try to offer some kind of explanation. Can you please stop acting like this?"

Her voice was low, and her eyes seemed to be brimming with deep affection. She stepped toward me, reaching for my hand. I pulled away.

"I can explain what you just saw. Hank's family ran into trouble, so I helped him out. There's nothing going on between us. It's just a watch. If you want one, I'll get you something even better."

Every year, she bought my birthday gift well in advance and had it delivered to me like clockwork on my birthday.

One year, she'd given me the same leather belt she'd bought for a client.

"I just hate going to any unnecessary trouble. Besides, when it comes to gifts, it's the thought that counts."

Yet the watch Mallory gave Hank was said to be from an aristocratic family. It'd been a gift from a nobleman's wife as a token of her love for him. The watch had been named Everlasting Eternity to symbolize an everlasting relationship that would live on for all eternity.

It felt as though my heart had been stung by something. The piercing pain was impossible to ignore.

I lowered my eyes, suppressing the emotions threatening to surface.

"What about last night? Didn't you say you'd be back soon?"

Mallory instinctively rubbed her right index finger against her thumb. It was a habitual gesture she made whenever she lied.

"Those debt collectors were blocking his door. Someone with his background and upbringing doesn't know how to handle that sort of thing. I was worried about him."

I placed my resignation letter on her desk. I'd written it long ago and already signed it.

"Mallory." I stared into her eyes. "Approve it."

She was just about to lower her head and read it carefully when Hank strode in without knocking. Without even looking at my resignation letter, she signed the acknowledgment form and handed it back to me.

"Gideon, there's nothing going on between Mallory and me. You know very well that even back in high school, you're the only one she ever looked out for," Hank remarked.

"Honestly, every time this happens, it makes me look like a bully. I was just an immature teenager. You're the bigger man here, so let's just let bygones be bygones. Don't hold a grudge against me."

He stepped forward and slapped my shoulder with feigned familiarity. The gleam from the face of the antique watch on his wrist stabbed at my eyes.

My expression turned cold as I raised my hand to brush him off.

Mallory hurried over and pulled Hank behind her. "Gideon, there really is nothing going on between Hank and me. Don't drag an innocent man into this. Why are you resorting to violence?"

The corners of my mouth twitched. I could barely maintain even a mocking smile. Back then, I'd always been the one who needed her protection. Now, she stood on the opposite side, drawing a clear line between us.

Mallory quickly turned around. She grabbed a leave form from her desk, signed it, and pushed it toward me.

She made a rare show of softening her tone as she instructed me, "Just take a few days off first to clear your head."