Celia, however, showed no sign of concern. She looked at them as if they were the unreasonable ones.
Just then, someone from HR walked over, his expression stiff and official.
“What are you all still doing here?” he asked sharply. “Grab your bags and leave, or I’ll have to call security.”
The words crushed whatever hope was left.
One by one, they bent down to collect their belongings. The sound of zippers closing and drawers sliding shut echoed in the space. Their movements were heavy, shoulders slumped, faces filled with sadness and humiliation.
But as they walked past Celia, every single one of them glared at her — anger, disappointment, and betrayal burning in their eyes.
But Celia turned her face away, staring at the blank white wall as if she hadn’t noticed their glares.
Under her breath, she muttered quietly, “How is it my fault? Everyone keeps doing wrong things and then comes to me to fix them.”
She frowned sadly.
“What does it have to do with me? How many people am I supposed to save?” she whispered to herself. “I need to protect myself first so I can help more people in the future.”
***
Sophia stood up abruptly from the couch. The cushion sank back into place as she began pacing the living room again.
Her arms folded tightly across her chest, then unfolded. Her fingers brushed through her hair in frustration.
Her eyes were tense, worried.
She glanced at the wall clock.
Evening already.
Her gaze dropped to her phone resting on the table. The message from Elias was still open — the proposal details neatly typed.
She picked it up again.
Her eyes moved slowly over every line, rereading each condition. After a long moment, she exhaled and slid the phone back into the pocket of her jeans.
“Should I tell Magnus about this or not?” she whispered to herself.
Her lips pressed into a thin, troubled line.
“We just have a contract marriage,” she muttered under her breath. “He already made it clear there’s not going to be anything more between us except the contract.”
Her fingers curled slightly at her sides.
“Does it even matter to him if I leave?” she whispered. “Or would I be overstepping our relationship if I tell him about this?”
Her steps slowed.
“I guess I’ll just stay until the contract is over,” she murmured. “It’s not that long anyway before it ends…”
But then her thoughts tangled again.
“Am I still obligated to tell him? That I got this opportunity?”
Her heartbeat picked up.
She walked back to the couch and sat down heavily, staring at the floor.
