Page 38 of Runaway Girl
“I quit!”
All I processed was their shocked features before I bolted straight out of there.
Crashing into the elevator, I slammed my finger against the button, exhaling a grateful breath when the doors closed before either of the cheating scumbags could catch up.
I didn’t want to give them any opportunity to talk me down andliestraight to my face.I know what I saw.
As soon as I reached the ground floor, I ran for the foyer doors. My escape was in reach, so close I could feel the outside air drifting through the shifting glass.
But destiny had other plans.
“Alicia! Alicia! Are you okay?”
Arms caught me in a tight squeeze as soft hands ran over my shoulders in comfort—from the very woman I wanted to save.
Stella regarded me with genuine concern, her gaze cataloguing my anxious state.
When I didn’t reply, her expression filled with worry. “Let me find Felix. He’s upstairs in his office.”
I vigorously shook my head.No. No. No. I don’t want to hurt you.
“I’ll only be a minute,” she said, tone reassuring. “I’m going to find him.”
As she went to pull away, I latched onto her forearm, unrelenting and firm.
“Don’t go up there, Stella,” I managed to choke.Oh, god.
“Why?” She tilted her head, waiting for further explanation as tears gathered in my eyes. I closed them, not wanting to observe her devastation firsthand.
“Please,” I begged. “I don’t want you to see that.To see them together…”
One debilitating heartbeat later, I was pulled into a crushing hug—one full of warmth and understanding.
“It’s too late for that, Alicia,” she whispered against my cheek, her tone brittle but firm.
That’s when I raised my arms to return her embrace.
Am I in some alternate universe? Why am I the one crying, mourning the loss of a marriage in the arms of the wife it belongs to?
Stella slowly withdrew as I sniffled, failing to regain control.
“I told them I quit on the spot,” I said. “I know firsthand what that type of destruction can do to someone, including their family and loved ones. These terrible deeds have a cascade effect, and I can’t knowingly respect and work under someone who chooses to live their life like that.I refuse.”
It was a bold statement, but I meant every word. Living alongside my sister for four years and having a front row seat to her ongoing turmoil ingrained something deep inside me. And seeing Felix blatantly cheating in 4D—while celebrating his wife in the same building—solidified my resolve further.
Stella gave me a sad but knowing smile. “Thank you for being sincere in a world that tramples the weak, Alicia, but I want you to stay in the company.”
“I can’t work for him.”
“He won’t be your boss for much longer. Will you stick around to see what happens? I promise your new boss would love to have a loyal employee like yourself.”
I shifted over her words, receiving the underlying message. I refused to remain for him, but maybe I could stayfor her…
“If you do decide to stay here, Alicia, I only have one request. Please keep thisdiscoveryto yourself… for now.”
Discovery—meaning the inappropriate love affair between her husband and his secretary.
I cringed. “How long do you want me to wait? I’m not a good actress.”
