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But I’ve been trying to do that my entire fucking life.

Birds chirp outside the window, and I blink as I realize the windows are open, letting the salty morning breeze flutter inside.

“What the⁠—?”

I hadn’t opened them.

Maybe Kathy? But why would she come into my room uninvited?

I brush it off as travel exhaustion, close them, and take another long shower to get ready for my first day at work.

Valdrich Industries looms overhead like a giant. It looks out of place in the small town it casts a daunting shadow over.

I crane my neck and swallow.

I’d worn my best pantsuit and Louboutins, and I’m not equipped for much walking, but the photos of this place didn’t do it justice.

“First day?” a voice says beside me.

I jolt, snapping my head to the right. “Yeah. That obvious?”

“All the new hires from out of town have the same reaction. You’ll be fine. Crimson Falls is great.”

I smile at his kindness. “Thank you.”

“Come on. We’ll get you inside to meet Wallace; he’ll make you a name badge.”

I swallow, follow him inside, and make idle chatter.

Wallace, the security guard and doorman, takes my photo and makes me a laminated badge on a lanyard, then gives me instructions to go to HR on the fifth floor before I start work.

Once my paperwork is settled, I head to floor eighteen to start work.

I’m to report to Aria, and I’m told she’s the only one on that floor with her door open.

Everyone I pass on my upward journey is kind, but a pit of unease in my stomach has been growing since this morning’s incident with the window.

I don’t know what it is or why, but I can only hope it passes.

Floor eighteen mimics the rest of the building’s decor: devoid of color and cold.

My anxiety is at an all-time high as I pass what I assume is my desk right outside the elevator, in search of Aria.

Sure enough, only one door is wide open, and I find a woman who looks my age, her feet perched on the desk as she eats a donut.

“Seraphine?” she mutters, swallowing and quickly tucking her feet off the desk.

“Yes.” I grin.

For the first time since I woke this morning, my stomach settles, and I’m thankful.

“Oh, good! I was hoping you wouldn’t no-show as the last two new hires did.”

I swallow, anxiety renewed.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you. Crimson Falls isn’t a welcoming climate, so I understand why they run off.”

I shift on my heels, wincing when a sharp pain moves through my feet. “Yeah. This is actually what I was looking for, though.”