Chapter 2

When I walked into Conference Room Three, Tyra was curled up on the couch by the window.

She looked pale, her eyes swollen like she'd been crying all night.

Her husband sat beside her.

Eric Luttrell.

Last time, he posted my home address online and told everyone I'd killed his baby.

My dad went to the bank, desperate for a loan to cover the damages.

He had a heart attack right after he left.

Later, Eric went live and said, "I just wanted justice for my child. I didn't know her father would die."

He didn't know.

How convenient.

Helen sat at the head of the table, a stack of papers in front of her.

"Stella, Tyra has filed a serious complaint against you for workplace bullying and abuse of authority."

I pulled out a chair and sat down. "Be specific."

Tyra burst into tears. "Stella, I really didn't want it to come to this."

I looked at her. "Then don't turn it into something it's not."

Her sob caught in her throat.

Eric slammed a hand on the table. "My wife just had a miscarriage, and that's your attitude?"

I turned to him. "A miscarriage is tragic. It's not proof I did anything."

"You—"

Helen frowned. "Mr. Luttrell, calm down."

Then she slid a medical report across the table.

"Tyra started bleeding the night before last. The hospital confirmed a spontaneous miscarriage after fetal death."

I flipped the page.

There it was in black and white.

Fetal demise.

I set the report down. "So what does this have to do with me?"

Tyra covered her mouth, shoulders shaking.

"You didn't come to storage with me that day, but the night before, you made me revise the proposal until after midnight.

"And you said in the break room that my pregnancy was dragging the team down.

"You also told me I should drop out of the overseas assignment if I knew what was good for me."

She looked at me through her tears. "My stomach was already hurting, but I was scared to say anything. I thought you'd call me dramatic."

Eric's eyes went red. "You pushed a pregnant woman this far. What kind of person does that?"

Helen looked at me. "Stella, did you make Tyra work excessive hours while she was pregnant?"

"No."

"Did you speak to her aggressively?"

"No."

"Did you shut her out because you were both up for the overseas assignment?"

I smiled. "Ms. Moore, are you investigating this, or helping her polish her story?"

Helen's face hardened. "Watch your tone. The company is dealing with a serious case involving a pregnant employee's miscarriage. As project lead, you're expected to cooperate."

"I am cooperating."

I hit record on my phone.

"Go ahead. I want a record too."

Helen stared at my screen, frown deepening. "Stella, recording an internal meeting is inappropriate."

"Then send me everything in writing."

She went quiet.

Tyra broke into sobs. "Stella, why are you acting like this? I just lost my baby. I'm not trying to hurt you."

I looked at her. "Then why does every accusation lead straight back to me?"

The conference room's glass door barely blocked any sound.

Soon, messages started popping up in the Northstar group chat.

My phone wouldn't stop buzzing.

I screenshotted every one.

Helen slid a temporary disciplinary notice across the table.

"Effective immediately, your authority as project lead is suspended."

I looked at Helen. "The investigation isn't even done, and you're already punishing me?"

Her voice went cold. "It's risk management."

Risk.

That word again.

Last time, they used it as an excuse to treat me like trash.

"Fine." I stood. "Email it to me. Copy Legal and Compliance."

Eric sneered. "Planning to sue the company?"

I looked at him. "If someone lies, covers for a liar, or decides I'm guilty before investigating, I'll hold every single one of them accountable."

Tyra's sobbing quieted.

Then I saw it.

Behind the tissue, the corner of her mouth lifted.

Just a little.