Chapter 6
“Where did she go?”
Blake’s voice cut through the silence. When nobody answered, he completely lost it.
“Where the hell is Ember?!”
“Maybe… she went home?”
Blake’s eyes were bloodshot as he stormed out of the office.
He stumbled the whole way there, and only now was panic finally creeping in.
Whether it was because of me or because of what losing me would do to his company-who knows.
When the plane touched down, I felt more relaxed than I had in years.
Finally free from that toxic place that had turned me into some bitter, resentful housewife.
My professor-Dr. Margaret Hayes-his eyes filled with tears when he saw me.
He looked me over carefully, his voice choked up.
You’ve gotten so thin.”
If only I’d pushed harder back then, convinced you to come to the research institute.”
Then you wouldn’t have…”
patted his back, feeling emotional myself.
When I graduated, I already had an offer from the institute. But that’s when Blake proposed to me.
le wanted me to help him build our business empire together.
>r. Hayes didn’t want to lose such a promising student, but he also didn’t want to stand in the way of my happiness.
ife doesn’t always go smoothly. Everyone eventually faces the consequences of their choices.
At least I’d found my way back to the right path.
o lighten the mood, I joked: “Hey, being skinny’s not bad! I’ll eat less and save the institute some cash.”
Dr. Hayes gave me a playful glare.
You’re terrible.”
hooked my arm through hers as we walked toward the research building.
Everyone was buried in work today, so Dr. Hayes apologized for my old lab mates not being able to greet me.
Made me feel kind of awkward, honestly.
“These creaky old bones can’t show you around anymore.”
“But my son’s got nothing going on today. He can give you the tour.”
Dr. Hayes’s son-yeah, I remembered him. Used to help him with high school physics. Kid improved so much that Dr. Hayes slipped me this huge bonus
afterward.
Wonder if he still gets stumped by physics problems.
The second we walked into the institute, I saw Kieran Hayes standing there all stiff and formal.
Nothing like the kid I used to know. He’d turned into this solid, grown-up guy with actual maturity now.
Dr. Hayes waved him over.
“Get over here and help Ember with her bags!”
“And don’t be rude-say hi!”
I had to bite back a laugh.
“This kid drives me crazy. Always moping around with that sour face. At this rate, I’ll be six feet under before he gets a girlfriend. What girl’s gonna out up with Mr. Grumpy?”
Then after rattling off some instructions, Dr. Hayes headed out.
Kieran walked me to my assigned place. One bedroom, decent living room-not bad at all.
le made himself at home, helping me make the bed, then started pulling the roses out of the welcome bouquet my old lab buddies had sent over.
I’ll toss these for you.”
How’d you know I hate roses?”
Remember when you used to tutor me? Mom’s friend brought her roses once and I saw you make this face. Figured you weren’t a fan.”
just stood there, totally floored.
rom one stupid facial expression? This guy remembered something that small for years?
lake knew damn well what my triggers were-I’d spelled it out for him. But he still couldn’t be bothered to care about my feelings.
le’d bend over backwards for everyone else though. Just never for me.
Whatever special treatment Blake used to give me had definitely worn off by now.
Earth to Ember.”
ieran’s voice snapped me back to reality.
smiled and shook my head, thanking him for dealing with the flowers.
We chatted for a bit, getting caught up.
Geran had just graduated this year and landed a spot at the institute too. He’d been here a month longer than me and was also working on Project 707
ame team as me, actually.
When I mentioned my train wreck of a marriage, something shifted in Kieran’s usually stone-cold expression.
Like he was actually happy I was getting divorced.
