I need to save my career. First, I need to collect my research materials from the office. They represent two years of work. I can't let them disappear into storage.
On Friday morning, I drive to the Raptors training complex for what I hope isn't the last time. The security guard recognizes me. His smile disappears, and he looks away.
"Dr. Chandler. I'm not sure you're supposed to be here."
"I just need to get my research materials. Five minutes. I'll be in and out."
He hesitates, then waves me through. "Make it quick."
The facility feels hostile as I pass players in the hallway. Connor makes eye contact, then looks away. Tyler offers an awkward nod.
My office is exactly as I left it. Research materials are organized on shelves. My coffee mug is still sitting on the desk with an old ring of dried liquid at the bottom.
I start packing methodically, boxing up drives, notebooks, and equipment that represent countless hours of work. Everything fits into three boxes.
I'm sealing the last box with packing tape when I hear multiple voices down the hallway, including one that makes my heart stutter even though I know better.
Declan.
My body moves before my brain can stop it, drawn toward his voice like a compass finding north. I follow the sound of the moving voice until I get to the training room. Declan is in there talking to Coach Petrov about game strategy.
Coach's phone rings and he walks out of the training room and toward his office. Luckily, he's so engrossed in arguing with the other person on the line that he doesn't see me.
I should leave now. I turn away. Time to grab my boxes and go before...
"Ivy."
Declan's voice comes from right behind me. I spin around. His eyebrows are raised in surprise, guilt written all over his face.
"What are you doing here?"
I chuckle bitterly and step back, needing space to breathe.
"Of course, you'd ask that because I no longer work here. It doesn't matter to you that my career has been destroyed since yours is fine."
"Ivy... I can explain."
"Explain what?" I glare, channeling hurt into anger because fury is safer than heartbreak. "How you disappeared when I needed you most? How you went from saying you love me to wishing me well in my future endeavors in the press? How you let them destroy me while you stayed silent?"
He opens his mouth then closes it without saying a word. He runs a hand through his hair, face tensing in frustration.
"I was trying to protect you."
A bitter laugh escapes my lips.
"By abandoning me? You decided I wasn't worth the fight and walked away, Declan. At least have the balls to admit it instead of giving excuses."
He steps closer, jaw tight. There are dark circles under his eyes. He goes into a long monologue about losing his phone and all he did before getting it back a few days back.
Everything he says is about him. Only him.
"Gregory had my phone for days. I had to stay away from you, so he wouldn't keep destroying your career," he concludes.
"Well, guess what? He did. And you didn't bother to fight back to warn me," I snap.
"I was buying time to build a case against him."
"You were buying time while my life crumbled to dust because you still have your team and your comfortable penthouse where you can hide from consequences." Tears burn my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. "I have nothing. And you helped take everything from me by doing nothing."
