DOMINICThe old Valerie used to barge into my office without knocking. She’d steal my attention, argue with me over nothing and everything, insult me to my face, threaten me with whatever came to mind. She existed around me. Now she disappeared into her study for entire days. Sometimes I wouldn’t see her until midnight, if at all. She’d be buried in emails, sketches, contracts, and that new chaotic life of hers. The signing had changed everything. In the best way for her. In a way that left me… unsettled.I wasn’t used to this. Wanting someone’s attention this badly. Missing the fights. Hawthorne cleared his throat. “The car is ready whenever you are, sir.”I stood up, grabbing my jacket from the back of the chair. “Good.”We headed downstairs. Outside, Valerie had finally ended her call and slipped into the back seat. She didn’t even notice me approaching at first. Too busy typing another response on her phone, eyebrows furrowed in concentration, that little crease between them that
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