Page 119 of The Stranger

Has she left?

I turn on the light, and I’m relieved to see all her belongings scattered around the room, including her handbag that’s sitting on top of her made bed.

There is no sign of her in my bedroom either, so I head to my home office to stow my briefcase away before I continue my search. I’m surprised to find her in there. She’s sitting behind my large desk, which seems to dwarf her slight frame.

“Here you are. What are you doing in here?” I ask.

She doesn’t look away from the computer screen, but answers with, “Writing my resignation.”

“What?”

“You heard, or are those old ears of yours playing up again?”

“Delilah,” I growl as I stalk towards her with long purposeful strides.

I stop on the opposite side of the desk and glare down at her as her fingers angrily bang against the keyboard.

“There … done,” she says, pushing back her chair and standing. I watch as she moves over to the printer and snatches up the piece of paper it spits out. She then holds it out towards me. “My resignation … effective immediately.”

I take it out of her hand, briefly glance down at it, and do the only thing I can. I tear it in half and drop it to the floor.

Her lips thin as she retakes her seat behind the desk. “I can do this all night if need be.”

She stabs at the keys again and rinses and repeats her previous movements. This time when she extends her arms towards me, I grasp her wrist and tug her closer. She lets out a little squeak as I capture her around the waist and tilt her face towards mine with my other hand.

“I’m not accepting your resignation.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

I exhale an exasperated breath. “I’m sorry, okay? I overreacted by grabbing him the way I did, but when Shay-lee called me and said some guy was manhandling you in the lobby, something inside me snapped. I know you two have a history, but never underestimate how much you mean to me … how hard I’ll fight for you. I may step out of line from time to time, but please never forget that. Your well-being and safety are, and always will be, my number one priority.”

“You think I’m mad because you grabbed Kayne?”

My eyebrows pinch together. “You’re not?”

“I mean maybe a little, but …” Her words die off as her bottom lip quivers and tears rise to her eyes.

“Sweetheart,” I say with a sigh as my hand on her chin moves to the back of her head, guiding her face into my chest. “Please don’t cry … seeing you like this kills me.”

“I’ve ruined everything,” she sniffles. “I’m the one who should be sorry.”

I cup her face and tip her head back. “You haven’t ruined anything. You’ve done nothing wrong. You never asked for any of this.”

“I caused it.”

“I’m not following … you asked that dick to come to the office?”

“What? God no. I didn’t know he was going to show up there.”

“Then what have you ruined? What did you cause?”

“I’ve ruined your reputation.”

“I’m not following.”

“Because of the rumours circulating about us.”

“What rumours?”