Page 22 of Deceived Wrath

In my sleep-deprived haze, it takes me until I’m halfway through my morning shower routine to remember that I no longer have a job to go to. As of last night, I am unemployed, thanks to Lorcan Sullivan.

I huff, turning off the water. “I am so over today.”

I quickly dry off and throw my sweats back on, seeing as I don’t need to go into the office. I can’t deny it hurts that not a single one of my now ex-colleagues has reached out to ask if I’m ok. I mean, who quits their job on the fly without there being a reason?

Apparently, me.

In the hopes of turning the day around, I head into my tiny kitchen and start going through the motions of making my morning matcha. I even scroll through my music to find an upbeat playlist to help add to the vibes but quickly turn it off at the first mention of true love and everlasting happiness.

That shit doesn’t exist.

I’m just about to type inred flags and trust issuesin the search bar when an incoming call from Zoe lights up the screen.

“Glad to know you didn’t suffocate in your sleep from the bleach fumes.” I put the call on speaker and set the phone on the counter so I can finish making my matcha.

“I survived, but I have to say I slept like a baby, so maybe I’m on to something here.”

“Please don’t go getting addicted to bleach. I can’t afford rehab.”

Or rent for that matter.

Zoe laughs. “I’m not making any promises. Anyway, where are you? It’s awfully quiet in the background. Shouldn’t you be on the way to work?”

I should, but I no longer have a job, which is just one more thing I can add to the long list of things that Lorcan Sullivan has taken from me. Not that I can tell her any of that.

“I took the day off.”

And the next day, and the day after that if I don’t land this job atSullivan Investments, but I don’t tell Zoe that either. She doesn’t need to know about the hole I’ve dug myself. This is my mess, and it’s up to me to fix it.

“Are you sure that was a good idea? Maybe work would have been a good distraction, especially today.”

“Maybe…”

“Well, I hope you’re at least planning to pamper yourself? I don’t want you cooped up alone all day long, wallowing in self-pity. Carly wouldn’t have wanted that.”

“Well, Carly isn’t here,” I retort before silently cursing myself. “Crap, sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I’m just…tired. I didn’t sleep well last night.”

“You can snap at me all you want. You’re entitled to it today.”

“No, I’m not. Having a dead sister doesn’t give me a free pass to be a bitch to my best friend.”

Zoe laughs. “You and I are very different people. I would be milking the dead sister card for the rest of my life.”

“Still, I’m sorry.”

“Already forgotten. Look, I’m about to get on the subway and lose signal, but promise me you won’t spend the day wallowing?”

“I won’t.”

“Fiona…”

“I won’t!”

“Do you want me to come over later? I can bring pizza and wine, and we can watch all the bad movie sequels.”

“There is no such thing as a bad movie sequel.”

“Do I need to remind you ofLegally Blonde 2.”