“You two go ahead,” she said evenly. “I just remembered I left something inside.”
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked toward the manor, her movements steady despite the tightness in her chest.
Only when the engine of the Audi A8 roared to life and faded into the distance did she stop.
The parking courtyard was empty now. Dust hung faintly in the air.
Two tears slipped down her face before she could stop them.
This was the first time since joining the territory infirmary that she would be late.
---
When she finally arrived at work, several colleagues looked up in surprise.
“Adriana, how’s your ankle? Why are you here already?”
“Did Alpha Reed make you come back so soon? He could’ve let you rest.”
Their concern was sincere.
She forced a small smile. “It’s much better. I didn’t want to fall behind.”
She answered them gently, but her thoughts were far away.
Nathanie had already driven off with Olivia. Whatever she did next had nothing to do with him.
In that moment, an overwhelming clarity washed over her.
She didn’t just want distance.
She wanted out.
Without hesitation, she turned and headed straight for the director’s office.