جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 15

The words lingered in the air. "We need to talk." Valerie's fingers tightened around the microfiber cloth until her knuckles turned pale. She had imagined this moment more times than she cared to admit. There had been nights when she wondered what she would say if she ever saw him again. She imagined herself shouting at him, demanding answers, asking why he never came back after promising he would. Then there were nights when she imagined simply walking away. Four years had changed those fantasies. Now, all she wanted was peace. She lowered her gaze again. "I'm sorry, Sir," she said professionally. "I'm still on duty." Drugo remained where he was. "I'm aware." "So... if you'll excuse me, I still have work to finish." She took a step toward the opposite side of the lounge, intending to slip past him. "Valerie." Her name rolled off his tongue as naturally as it had four years ago. She stopped. Not because she wanted to. Because hearing him say her nam

The soft chime signaling the end of the workday echoed throughout Luero Corporation. Employees began shutting down their computers, organizing documents, and gathering their belongings. Conversations slowly filled the once-quiet executive floor as people prepared to head home after another exhausting day. Valerie, however, was still pushing her cleaning cart down the last hallway assigned to her. She glanced at the clock hanging near the emergency exit. 5:47 PM. Just thirteen more minutes. Only thirteen minutes until she could go home. A smile unconsciously appeared on her lips. "I wonder what the kids are doing." She imagined Dark begging Julia for another cookie, despite already eating far too many. She imagined Vienna proudly showing Lucina the little flower she had picked from the garden. And Duzzel... Valerie chuckled quietly. He was probably reminding everyone that leaving toys on the floor was a "safety hazard." "They're probably waiting for me already," she murmu