Page 133 of Outcast’s Vow

And I am left shaking, feeling ashamed and helpless for both her and me.

One day, I will be repeating her words.

50

SYLVIE

“So, this is your desk here. You have a phone to make calls, and a computer to log each one. Your project manager will email you a list of today’s tasks to be completed. Call me over if you need any assistance.”

My co-worker turns and walks away to the other side of the office, and, with an uncertain inhale, I sit down at my new desk. She didn’t even look me in the eye. The interaction with her was completely cold and rehearsed. And I totally understand why.

What am I doing here?

My skirt feels too tight on me. Behind me is the machine hum of printers and a ripple of polite chatter. I feel like a fake. I feel like everyone’s watching this bimbo pretend to know what she’s doing. Everyone knows I’m the CEO’s daughter, and they probably think I’m some stuck-up, dumb nepo baby, here to spy on them, and I don’t blame them.

I’m back in my father’s skyscraper in downtown New York, but this time it’s not to see him. Today is my first day of working at his international shipping company, doing nothing. I was getting restless in the family mansion, so Father, in his infinite wisdom, thought it would be a good idea for me to fill my days with something. Before he marries me off. Before he finds a suitable gilded cage for me.

And Baptiste still hasn’t reappeared. I’ve heard the Castaways have sent out their spies, and they’ve even talked to Clement and Fabien, but Baptiste has vanished like the skilled man he is.

He’s avoiding them. And me.

It’s practically guaranteed that I will never see him again.

I glance around the office. This isn’t like college at all. I look at the phone and the blank computer screen in front of me.

I had dreams once. I wanted to make a difference. But now I’ll be some trophy wife of some Castaway boy, expected to shut up and make babies.

I try to swallow, but my throat is dry. My fingers tighten around the keyboard. The computer slowly flickers on, the screen light already straining my eyes.

Maybe Baptiste should’ve accepted the Castaways’ gift and slept with those women. Would I have forgiven him if he had? Ha. No, but at least I won’t be here.

Across the office, the elevator dings open, and in comes a man on his own.

What?

I recognize that gait anywhere. That face. Those eyes.

Dread takes hold of my heart.

I duck under my computer monitor as my ex strolls into the office.

He hasn’t spotted me. Yet.

What’s he doing at this skyscraper? Is he here for Father? For me?

I should dial the building’s security, but I don’t even know the number yet.

I hear my father’s voice. He never comes down to this level, but he’s here now, apparently.

“Welcome, Ethan!”

I dare to peek over the screen.

Is Father greeting him? He’s being warm to the man who cheated on me?

What the hell is going on?

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