Abel
We went through the rest of our meeting, but my mind kept drifting to Millicent. Every time I looked through the window, she seemed paler. Shakier. More fragile.
By three o'clock, I'd had enough. I found her staring blankly at her screen, fingers poised over the keyboard but not moving.
"You're hiring an assistant," I announced. Not asking. Telling. "Someone to handle the grunt work."
Her reaction was immediate and violent. She shot to her feet, eyes blazing. "No! I don't need help. I can handle everything."
"Can you? Because from where I'm standing, you can barely handle staying conscious."
"I said no!" She was actually shaking now, hands clenched at her sides. "I'm fine. I don't need an assistant. I don't need-"
"What? What don't you need, Millicent?" I moved closer, using my
