Chapter 2

"Ms. Morrow, wait a moment," Poppy's sweet voice called out.

I hesitated for a second, then walked even faster.

Just as I was about to step into the revolving door, someone stuck their leg out and tripped me. A strong force shoved me to the side.

I stumbled backward, my ankle twisting painfully. My high heel snapped.

Before I could regain my balance, my back slammed hard against the metal bar next to the door.

A wave of pain shot through my body, and a cold sweat broke out on my forehead.

"Ms. Morrow, Poppy asked you to wait. Are you deaf?"

Sterling stood over me, dusting off the hand that had touched me as if I were something dirty.

I clutched my lower back, my eyes shimmering with tears as I looked up at him.

He flinched, his brow furrowing. "Don't look at me like that. You disrespected Poppy. You deserved this."

I lowered my gaze and nodded, a tear splashing onto the polished floor.

Sterling's hand, hanging by his side, tightened into a fist.

Just as he reached for me, Poppy walked over.

She wrapped her arm around his, her voice a sweet pout. "Sterling, honey, don't be so harsh."

The tension in his face instantly vanished. He gently tapped her nose. "Okay, anything for you."

Poppy smiled sweetly. "Ms. Morrow, I know you've been with Sterling for three years. That's a lot of hard work. That's why I wanted to ask you to be my maid of honor."

She was smiling, but her eyes were filled with pure hatred.

Her words were a deliberate, public humiliation, and the employees around us started whispering and pointing.

I bit my lip, saying nothing. Poppy pouted at Sterling.

My silence clearly annoyed him. "Seraphina," he warned, "Poppy is talking to you. Don't be ungrateful!"

A bitter smile touched my lips as I swallowed the lump in my throat.

When I spoke again, my voice was steady. "Mrs. Royce-to-be, I'm sorry, but I'm currently in a period of mourning. I can't be your maid of honor."

Poppy froze, her eyes glancing doubtfully at my pure white dress.

"Seraphina, I never realized you were such a good liar," Sterling scoffed.

He then pointed out coldly, "Both of your parents are dead. You're an orphan. Who are you mourning?"

Poppy's face lit up with understanding, a calculating glint in her eyes.

She tugged on Sterling's arm playfully. "Sterling, it's all your fault for being so mean. Ms. Morrow must be angry with me now."

Sterling looked down at her, his voice soft as he comforted her. The way he cherished her was everything I had once dreamed of.

Before he could question me, I cut in. "Mr. Royce, it's like this: my best friend's beloved goldfish died last night. I need to mourn for a year."

My statement stunned everyone into silence.

Poppy looked personally insulted and started to sob quietly.

Sterling's face darkened. He was so angry he forgot all about comforting the crying girl beside him.

I knew why. He couldn't stand the idea that I would place the importance of a goldfish above him.

The murmurs in the crowd grew louder, ugly words reaching my ears.

I refused to be a caged animal for them to gawk at. I pushed through the pain, lifted my chin, and said, "Mr. Royce, I'm resigning. Effective today."

I slipped off my broken heels and walked barefoot toward the revolving door.

"Seraphina Morrow!" Sterling gritted out my name.

I turned back to look at him, but he just stared at me, his lips pressed into a thin line.

I smiled. "Failing to give you proper notice is my mistake. Feel free to dock my pay however you see fit, Mr. Royce."