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Chapter Seven: Avoiding Him

last update Last Updated: 2025-11-02 06:14:13

The office was buzzing Monday morning, but Aria felt like she was moving through fog. She kept her head down as she walked past the glass doors of Voss Global, her heart slamming in her chest the moment she spotted Liam’s tall figure by the elevators. He was speaking to one of the directors, his expression hard, detached, and unreadable.

Her stomach twisted. She gripped her bag tighter and darted toward her desk, praying he wouldn’t notice her.

“Morning, Aria,” Sophie chirped, plopping into the chair beside her. “Rough weekend?”

Aria fumbled with her files, forcing a thin smile. “Something like that.”

Sophie leaned closer. “You look pale. Are you sick?”

“No. Just tired.”

Janice from across the aisle joined in. “Tired? You’ve been tired for weeks now. What’s going on? New boyfriend keeping you up?” She grinned, waiting for a reaction.

Aria froze, her throat tight. “No, nothing like that. Just… stress.”

Sophie tilted her head. “Stress from what? You barely started here.”

Aria gave a wea
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