[Everyone didn’t have a good meal because of you today, especially the Elders. Let’s invite them to dinner another day.]
My grip tightened around the phone, frustration bubbling up inside me. How could he not see what he was doing? How could he not see how deeply he was cutting me with every careless word, every thoughtless action?
The buzzing of the phone stopped in silence as Haynes switched to mind-linking me directly, his voice insistent in my head. I severed the connection immediately, closing my eyes to block out his voice.
I was done listening. Done waiting for things to change.
Arriving at my office, I opened the door to find breakfast laid out neatly on my desk. The sight of it made my heart clench—how many times had I tried to win him over with similar gestures? I didn’t need to wonder who had placed it there. The familiarity of the situation was almost nauseating. Without a second thought, I picked up the tray and headed for the door, my movements deliberate.