ELORA

After Ethan and Ava were escorted out of the boardroom, silence settled like dust after a storm. My heart pounded in my chest, but I stood tall, my shoulders squared, my hands clenched lightly at my sides. I turned slightly toward the board, took a small bow, and said, "Thank you for your time. I was on a one-week leave, so I’d like to take my leave now."

I turned, about to walk out, but Chairman Richard’s voice halted me. "Miss Elora. Wait."

I stopped dead in my tracks, my pulse catching in my throat. I turned back slowly, swallowing hard. My eyes darted to Rowen briefly. He hadn’t...