Page 98 of Dare To Live

“You can’t be serious.” I stare, hoping it’s a joke. “You’re telling me now, right on clocking out time. I have plans this evening.”

“Of course, I’m serious.”

“Is anyone else being asked to stay?”

“Non, they are all up to date. I need to see your commitment to the line you are working on. If you cannot give it to me, do not bother returning tomorrow.”

Lips parting, all I can do is stare at him. “I am committed.”

“Bien, then we have no problem.” He arches an eyebrow.

For a second, I wrestle with the urge to argue, but it dims under the need not to disappoint the rest of my team. “No, Monsieur Allaire. I’ll stay and finish what I’m working on.”

He nods his head. “I will be back to check up on you. Do not waste time Mademoiselle Gray.”

Grace approaches me as soon as he leaves. “Are you going to be okay on your own?”

“I only need to finish the blouse. It shouldn’t take me too long.”

“I could stay and help.”

“I’m not sure Marcel would be happy about that. Besides, all I’m missing is a self-defense class.”

“If you’re sure.” Grace glances at the door and back.

“Go home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

A few of my other colleagues call goodnight as they leave. When I’m finally alone, I sink back in my chair and turn to the half-finished piece of clothing.

It’s fine. Everything is fine.

My boss is an asshole. I should be used to dealing with those by now.

Chapter 54

Eli

“Eli?”

I straighten from putting the final suitcase into the trunk of the car and turn to face my stepmother, who’s walking down the steps toward me. She has an envelope in her hand and she’s tapping it against her palm.

“Everything okay?” My gaze skims over her face. There’s a slight frown marring her otherwise perfect features.

“What? Oh, yes. I just …” She bites her lip, and for a second, I see Arabella’s face superimposed on hers. “This letter came for you before Christmas. I opened it.” She holds up a hand when I open my mouth to speak. “I know. I know. I shouldn’t have done it, but … Well, as soon as I saw the envelope I felt I needed to check what it was. I wasn’t going to tell you about it, but …” She licks her lips. “The more I thought about it, the more I think it might be a good idea.”

My gaze drops to the envelope, and I hold out my hand. “What is it?”

She hesitates, fingers tightening on the white paper as I reach for it.

“Ellie, give me the envelope.”

She lets it go, her reluctance clear, and I reach inside for the letter. Unfolding it, my eyes lock onto the logo at the top of the page and I freeze.

“What the fuck?”

I turn the sheet over, then back again, for some reason expecting the image to change. But no, it’s still there. A golden shield, with a crown above it and the letters ‘CBA’ inside. Beneath it, there’s a Latin quote—Studeat Discere, Audet Deficere … Strive to Learn, Dare to Fail. The words are burned into my brain.

“What is this?” My voice is rough.

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