*Lena*

My heart raced as I rode the elevator, rehearsing my resignation speech in my head. The fabric of my blazer felt constricting as if conspiring with Zara to keep me trapped in this life I so desperately wanted to leave behind.

“I know it’s short notice, but it’s a family emergency,” I repeated over and over again. I had to get this right.

The doors slid open, and I strode purposefully towards Sylvie’s office. I took a ...