Page 37 of American Beauty

What did I do wrong?

The logical part of my brain tells me that obsessing over this won’t fix anything. But logic and heartbreak don’t go hand in hand.

I flip my phone over on the desk, pushing it away as though that will somehow stop me from reaching for it again. I need to focus, to work, to do something productive.

Instead, I sit there, staring at nothing, my heart aching in ways I don’t even have words for.

Gabby’s voice cuts through the hum of my thoughts, making me jump. “Magnolia, can you step into my office for a moment?”

My stomach twists. This is it—Gabby’s going to tell me I’m heading back to Sydney. And I should be thrilled. It’s what I wanted. Whatwewanted. But now? Now I don’t know what to feel. How can I go back to the city where he is and not see him? And worse… what if I do see him? What would I say? What would I do? My heart’s still in pieces, and the idea of pretending I’m fine in the same city as Alex Sebring seems impossible. But how do I decline after being so adamant about going without telling Gabby why? I’m not sure which version of this will break me more.

I force a nod and push myself up from my desk, hands trembling. The walk to Gabby’s office seems longer than usual, my heels clicking against the tile floor in a steady rhythm.

She’s already seated when I step inside, her expression unreadable as she gestures for me to close the door. I do, my pulse drumming in my ears.

Gabby folds her hands atop her desk. “Take a seat.”

I lower myself into the chair across from her, every muscle in my body coiled tight.

She exhales, a beat of hesitation before she slides her tablet across the desk. “I received an email this morning. A complaint.”

The words hit me like a slap. I blink, my mouth suddenly dry. “A complaint? Is someone unhappy with their suite? I can fix whatever it is.”

Gabby shakes her head. “It’s not about your work, Magnolia.”

Something in her tone makes my heart stop.

She straightens, and her expression sends an icy chill racing down my spine. “It’s about you. Someone reported you for fraternizing with a Soul Sync client.”

The world tilts under me. Blood drains from my face so fast I become lightheaded. My lips part, but nothing comes out.

Fraternizing. The word is a grenade, ready to blow my entire career to pieces. Because I did far more than fraternize.

I fell in love.

My mind spins, latching on to every worst-case scenario imaginable. What has Gabby been told?

I swallow hard, forcing my voice to stay steady. “What does the complaint say?”

Gabby taps the screen of her tablet, her eyes scanning the text before meeting mine. “It states that you engaged in an inappropriate personal relationship with a Soul Sync client while you were in Sydney.”

Shit.

The air leaves my lungs in a sharp exhale. My fingers tighten around the armrests of the chair, nails digging in.

“You’re quiet. Is there anything you want to say before I go any further?”

My stomach twists into knots, dread curling in my chest. “What am I being accused of?”

Gabby’s eyes search mine for a moment before she taps her tablet, pulling up the email. Her expression hardens as she reads.

“To Whom It May Concern. I am writing to report a serious violation of Soul Sync’s policies regarding client relations. Magnolia Steel, during her assignment in Sydney, engaged in an inappropriate romantic and sexual relationship with a client—Alex Sebring. This behavior compromised the integrity of Soul Sync’s services and created a severe conflict of interest, undermining the professionalism expected from your staff. It is in the best interest of Soul Sync that thisbreach of trust is addressed to protect the company’s reputation and uphold the standards you pride yourselves on. Respectfully. A Concerned Party.”

My entire body goes numb, the words slamming into me with a force that leaves me breathless.

She knows.

She knows everything.

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