Pov: Elizabeth

Jessica’s heels clicked across the marble floor like daggers. Her red lips curled as she set her designer bag beside Jason’s desk, leaned in, and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

“Baby.”

My stomach twisted.

Jason didn’t push her away, he just looked… uncomfortable. His jaw tightened, his eyes flicked briefly to me before he cleared his throat.

I forced my expression to stay neutral even as my nails dug crescent moons into my palm.

That’s when Jessica finally noticed me

Her perfectly glossed lips froze the instant her eyes landed on me.

I could see the flicker of surprise before she covered it with that trademark smile. Sweet, polished, and poisonous.

“Well, I didn’t realize we had company,” she said smoothly.

Without waiting for an introduction, she reached over Jason’s desk and snatched the file from his hand.

“Claire Hart?” Her voice oozed fake sweetness as her eyes swept over me from head to toe. “You studied at Westfield too?”

The way she said it wasn’t curiosity, it was accusation.

I met her gaze calmly. “Yes.”

Jessica’s lips curled into a smirk. “Funny. I don’t remember seeing you around. Then again, not everyone at Westfield was… memorable.”

The air between us snapped with silent hostility.

I wanted to slap that smug smile off her face, but instead, I tilted my head, my smile sharpening just enough to sting. “Of course you wouldn’t. I don’t think you were that close to Elizabeth… not enough to feel comfortable clinging to her man while she’s still fighting for her life.”

Her eyes widened, fury flashing like lightning.

“Excuse me?”

Jason stood quickly. “Jessica—”

But Jessica had already taken a step forward, face flushed with anger.

“You’ve got a lot of nerve talking to me like that, Miss Hart. Do you even know who you’re speaking to?”

Yes, I thought bitterly. To a snake wearing lipstick.

Jason’s voice hardened. “That’s enough, Jessica. Claire, please wait outside.”

The command in his tone startled both of us.

Jessica’s head snapped toward him, disbelief flashing in her eyes. “You’re defending her?”

“This is my office,” Jason said flatly. “And I decide who stays.”

Jessica’s mouth opened, but no words came out. The silence stretched thick and awkward.

I didn’t wait to hear the rest.

I grabbed my bag, blinking rapidly as my vision blurred with tears. The air in that office felt suffocating, heavy with betrayal, and memories I wanted to forget.

How had everything fallen apart so fast?

Just weeks ago, I had everythin, my father’s trust, Jason’s love, a life that made sense.

Now, I was standing outside my own company, crying behind another woman’s face.

I turned to leave, but then—

A familiar black car pulled up in front of the building.

My heart stopped.

Dad.

He stepped out slowly, looking older, thinner. His shoulders bent under invisible weight. The sight of him almost brought me to my knees.

I hid behind one of the marble rails, my hands trembling, tears spilling before I could stop them.

Dad…

He started walking toward the entrance, but suddenly paused. His gaze shifted, sharp as always, landing almost exactly where I stood.

Panic flared.

I tried to duck lower, but it was too late. He gestured subtly, and one of his men. Mr. Hailey, our long-time family guard began walking toward me.

I forced a shaky smile and wiped my face quickly as Mr. Hailey approached.

“Why are you hiding here, miss?” he asked kindly.

My throat tightened. “I… I’m sorry. I just— I didn’t want to disturb him.”

His brows furrowed. “Do you know Mr. Wakefield?”

My voice cracked. “I’m… Elizabeth’s friend. Claire Hart. I came to apply for a job. I just… wanted to see him.”

At the mention of my name, of hers, Dad stopped walking. His eyes softened, a flicker of pain crossing his face.

He stepped closer, studying me with quiet curiosity.

“You’re my daughter’s friend?”

I nodded quickly, wiping another tear. “Yes, sir. I’m so sorry for bringing it up. I just… I wanted to work here. To feel closer to her.”

Something in his expression shifted — grief, recognition, warmth.

“If that’s what you truly want,” he said gently, “then I’m sure Elizabeth would be happy to know it. Jason will contact you soon.”

My lips parted, stunned. “Thank you, sir… thank you so much.”

He nodded once before turning away, the weight of his sorrow etched in every step.

As soon as he disappeared into the building, I stumbled toward the street.

And this time, I didn’t hold back.

The tears came, harsh and endless. The kind that left you breathless.

Because for the first time, I realized something worse than dying:

watching the people you love move on while you’re still here, unseen, unheard, pretending to be someone else.

__

By the time I got home, the city lights had already begun to blur into streaks against the glass. Every step felt heavier, my body dragging behind me as though my soul had run miles ahead.

When I pushed open the apartment door, Red was sprawled lazily across the couch, one leg hanging off the side, flipping through a magazine he probably found in the lobby.

He glanced up as soon as he saw me.

“Whoa,” he whistled softly, tossing the magazine aside. “You look like someone who just returned from battle.”

I let out a tired laugh, unamused. “You’re not wrong.”

He grinned, standing up and walking closer, his crimson eyes glinting mischievously. “Careful, you’ll ruin that pretty lady’s figure if you keep scowling like that.”

I shot him a sharp glare. “Pretty lady, huh? You think I looked this pretty before?”

Red tilted his head, pretending to think. “Hmm… maybe a little less eyeliner and a lot more soul-crushing misery.”

“Very funny,” I muttered, dropping my bag on the chair and kicking off my heels. My feet throbbed, my heart worse.

For a while, silence filled the room, the kind that didn’t need words. Red eventually stretched, yawning like a cat.

“Well, I’m off. Don’t stay up too late, ghost girl.”

And with that, he vanished in a blur of crimson mist.

The clock on the wall ticked softly — 7:04 PM.

The apartment felt too big, too quiet.

I sank onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. My body felt strange, heavy yet hollow, like the air was slipping out of me. A dizzy wave washed over my senses.

“What’s… happening…” I whispered, my vision swimming.

My fingers went numb.

Then everything shifted.

It felt like being pulled underwater, like the world folded inward and spit me out somewhere else.

I gasped, suddenly cold, breathless. When I opened my eyes, I wasn’t lying on the bed anymore.

I was on the floor.

And across from me…

Claire lay there, her eyes wide open, confusion written all over her face.

I scrambled back, my heart hammering, staring at her as she sat up slowly, looking around like someone waking from a long dream.