5
Eva
By Friday, I thought I’d finally figured out how to move through the office without drawing stares. I kept my head down, did my work, and tried to blend in, even though everyone already knew I was Julian’s new favorite. Whispers followed me down the hallways, little smirks from the other women, side-eyes from the ones who wanted what I had but would never dare reach for it.
I wore a high-neck blouse and kept my hair up, hiding the faint marks he’d left on my throat. I told myself I’d be invisible today. I lied to myself every morning now.
The quarterly board meeting brought in a handful of executives from other branches—men with strong handshakes, perfect teeth, and the kind of confidence that only comes from knowing you own a piece of the world. They gathered in the big conferen
