Chapter seven

"I'm here! I'm here!" Evelyn exclaimed, bursting through the conference room door, her breath ragged from running. She looked around, but the room was completely empty. Her heart sank.

Oh no. Did I miss it?

"Williams, you can say goodbye to your job!" a sharp voice barked from behind her.

Evelyn whipped around to see her boss, his arms crossed and a scowl plastered on his face. His short stature didn't make him any less intimidating.

"Wait, no! I was at the police station!" she blurted out, trying to explain.

"Wow, not only are you late, but you also got arrested?" he shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"N-no, I wasn't arrested!" she stammered, panicking. She didn't want to explain the real reason she'd been there. It was complicated, and he didn't need to know.

Her boss sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're lucky, Williams. You're one of my best journalists. But stop creating problems for yourself, or next time, you're out." With a final glare, he turned on his heel and walked away.

Evelyn stood there, frozen. She hadn't even realized she'd been holding her breath until it came out in a long, shaky exhale. Her shoulders sagged with relief.

But her brief moment of calm was shattered when she felt someone's gaze. Her eyes darted to the far corner of the room, where Dane stood, half-hidden in the shadows. He wasn't doing anything, just standing there with his hands in his pockets, watching her.

His intense stare made her skin crawl. There was something unnerving about the way he looked at her, like he knew more than he should. Evelyn quickly turned away, trying to shake off the discomfort. What's his deal? she thought, unease settling in her chest.

________

Evelyn buried herself in her work, her fingers flying across the keyboard as if her career depended on it—which, in some ways, it did. Missing the meeting had been a disaster, and she was determined to make up for it. Maybe, just maybe, she could get another shot.

She was so focused that she didn't notice Arianna approach until a steaming cup of coffee was placed on her desk.

"You should really take a break. You look awful," Arianna said, her bright blue eyes gleaming with concern. Her blonde hair fell perfectly over her shoulders, complementing her striking features.

Evelyn sighed, reaching for the coffee. "Thanks. But I can't stop now. I missed an entire meeting today and blew my chance to be the first to present my report. All thanks to that good-for-nothing Eric," she muttered, taking a sip.

"No way—Eric? That Eric?" Arianna's voice rose, her curiosity piqued.

"Yes," Evelyn replied flatly, not looking up.

"Wait, you mean your Eric? Your ex-husband Eric?"

Evelyn groaned and slumped in her chair. That was enough of an answer for Arianna.

"Wow," Arianna whispered, clearly processing the news.

Evelyn rolled her eyes and launched into the full story—how Eric had reappeared out of nowhere, how he was now on her case, and how he was determined to shadow her every move.

"Ugh, this is the worst!" Evelyn concluded, throwing her hands up in exasperation.

Arianna sat back in her chair, her lips pursed. "Wow…"

"What do you mean, wow?" Evelyn asked, narrowing her eyes.

"I mean, what happened to you is terrifying, and I'm so sorry. Honestly, I shouldn't have left you alone last night."

"It's not your fault," Evelyn said with a wave of her hand. "I overwork myself sometimes—it was bound to happen. But Eric showing up after five years? That's just my rotten luck."

Arianna raised an eyebrow. "So, let me get this straight. Eric, your ex-husband, swooped in to help because you're a victim and he's assigned to the case?"

Evelyn nodded, scowling. "He's only here because he wants to lead this case. I'm just a means to an end for him."

"Okay, but… having gorgeous Eric on your case isn't entirely the worst thing in the world," Arianna said with a sly grin.

"Whose side are you on?" Evelyn shot back, glaring at her friend.

"Yours, obviously. But let's be real. You're being targeted by a serial killer—or something worse—and you know as well as I do that Eric is the best detective for the job. If anyone can catch this guy, it's him." Arianna leaned closer, her voice softening. "I get that it's complicated, but having your ex-husband on this case might make you the luckiest girl in the world. He's not just any detective—he's Eric."

Evelyn slumped further into her chair. She hated to admit it, but Arianna wasn't wrong. Eric was good at his job—annoyingly good. But did it have to be him? Of all people, why Eric?

"Luckiest girl in the world, my ass," Evelyn muttered, taking another sip of coffee.