Natalie’s sobbing grew louder, her theatrics feeding his anger. I held the phone away from my ear, letting his voice fade. She was practically orchestrating her performance, playing the part of the innocent girl in need of rescue.
All this fuss for a man who wasn’t worth a second glance. Pathetic.
“Keep her out of my sight, Darrel,” I replied, my voice low but firm. “I’m done. I’m going home.”
***
Back at my apartment building, I was just about to head upstairs when I ran into one of Darrel’s former coworkers in the lobby. Her eyes lit up when she saw me and she waved me over, brimming with excitement.
“Fionna! Oh my goodness, congratulations!” she exclaimed, her voice bright with enthusiasm. “If I’d known something this exciting was happening at the company, I’d have waited a little longer before leaving!”
I frowned, puzzled. “Congratulations… on what, exactly?”
She blinked in surprise, then gave a knowing smile as she pulled out her phone. “Oh, you haven’t seen it? Here, look!”