Flora stood between two towering metal shelves, shoving thick medical files into boxes. The fluorescent light above her flickered, casting long, erratic shadows across the concrete floor.

The heavy iron door groaned open.

Grant Holloway stepped inside. He wore a custom-tailored navy suit. A slick, arrogant smile stretched across his face, making Flora's stomach heave with instant nausea.

Grant reached behind him and pushed the door shut. The heavy metal deadbolt clicked into place. The sound echoed like a gunshot in the cramped space.

Flora's spine hit the cold metal of the filing cabinet behind her. The clipboard in her hands slipped from her sweaty fingers and clattered to the floor.

"You ignored my text last night," Grant said, taking a slow step toward her. "Playing hard to get only works for so long, Flora."

"Back up, Grant," Flora snapped. Her voice shook, but she forced herself to stand tall. She raised her left hand, shoving the cheap silver ring into his line of sight. "I'm married."

Grant stopped. He looked at the ring. A harsh, barking laugh erupted from his throat.

"That?" Grant sneered. "That piece of vending-machine trash? You expect me to believe a cheap piece of tin changes anything?"

He lunged forward. His large, rough hand reached out, aiming for her cheek.

The smell of his expensive cologne hit her face. Panic seized her throat, choking her.

Then, Josiah's voice echoed in her head. I am your legal shield.

A violent surge of adrenaline ripped through Flora's veins. She didn't think. She just reacted.

Flora planted her feet, twisted her hips, and swung her right hand with every ounce of strength she possessed.

Her palm connected with Grant's left cheek. The crack of flesh on flesh was deafening.

Grant's head snapped to the side. He stumbled back, his expensive leather shoes slipping on the linoleum. A bright red handprint instantly bloomed across his jaw. His eyes widened in pure, unadulterated shock.

Outside the archive room, standing in the dim hallway, Eleanor Holloway froze.

She had been looking through the blinds of the small window in the door. The insulated thermos in her hand slipped. It hit the carpeted hallway floor, spilling scalding hot coffee everywhere. Eleanor didn't flinch. Her skin turned to ice.

Inside, Grant touched his burning cheek. His shock morphed into ugly, twisting rage.

"You crazy bitch," Grant spat, taking a threatening step forward.

Flora didn't back down. Her chest heaved. Her eyes burned with a fierce, terrifying light. She pointed a trembling finger at the locked door.

"Get out," Flora screamed, her voice tearing her throat.

The sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway outside. The head nurse was doing rounds.

Grant froze. He adjusted his silk tie, his hands shaking with fury. He glared at Flora, his eyes promising violence.

"This isn't over," Grant hissed.

He spun around, unlocked the deadbolt, and ripped the door open.

Grant stepped into the hallway and stopped dead.

Eleanor stood there. She didn't scream. She didn't cry. She just stared at him with eyes so dead and empty they looked like glass.

All the blood drained from Grant's face. "Eleanor, wait-"

Eleanor turned her body, avoiding him like he was a rotting corpse. She stumbled backward, then turned and ran down the long, sterile corridor.

Flora stood in the doorway, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She watched Eleanor's retreating back. A heavy, suffocating wave of guilt crashed into her, instantly followed by a fierce, undeniable sense of liberation.

Grant shot Flora one last venomous look before sprinting after his wife.

The hallway fell dead silent.

Flora's knees gave out. She slid down the doorframe until she hit the floor. She stared at her stinging right hand, her whole body trembling.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, the sudden vibration startling her.

She pulled it out with trembling fingers. The screen lit up with a text from an unknown number, though the tone was unmistakably familiar.

Heard things got heated at work. Hope you're okay. Stand your ground.

Flora's breath caught. Her heart slammed against her ribs. It was Josiah. How did he know? Had someone in the hallway texted him? Or had he been waiting outside?

She stared at the glowing screen, a strange mix of apprehension and comfort washing over her. She swallowed hard, forcing her shaky legs to straighten as she stood up. She bent down and began picking up the scattered medical files, the words of his text echoing in her mind.

She knew slapping Grant had just painted a massive target on her back. He would ruin her for this.

But as she looked at her red palm, she didn't regret a single thing.

Outside the small window at the end of the hall, thunder rumbled in the dark clouds, signaling a storm.

Chapter 3 3

You might like