Chapter 60: Noah

At work, Candice’s startled gaze snapped up as I strode toward her desk, humming an upbeat tune. 

“Good morning,” I said, my voice carrying a cheerful note that was uncharacteristic of me.

She nearly leaped out of her chair, looking at me as if she thought I’d finally caved under all the stress, and gone prematurely senile. 

“Oh—good morning, Mr. Hayes!” she said, stumbling over her words a little. “I’ll bring you some coffee in a bit, sir.”

“No need, I’ve already had the best coffee a man could possibly ask for just now.” With that, she smiled brightly. Too brightly. Almost in the way someone would when they thought the person before them was actually making them uncomfortable. 

After I passed, I heard her mutter to herself, “Is the world ending or something?”