The Empress Who Buries Her Past

lurched to my feet, a raw, inarticulate cry tearing from my throat. I stumbled past Alec, past Billie, pas

, but I didn't care. I burst out of the office, half-running, half-stumbli

still lingering from Billie' s orchestrated ambush, swarmed me like hungry vultures. The

iarized designs from a struggling

mismanagement at Johns Development

lting Mr. Johns's assistant earl

ccusations rained down on me, each word

desperation. "It's not true! None of it! Just...

d to see him. To hold his hand. To say goodbye. But they wouldn't let me. My desperate stru

reporter shouted, thrusting his phone in my face. "They're saying y

e to her profession!" another chimed in, echoin

He must have followed me. He grabbed my arm, his grip tight, almost bruisi

professionally. Your father... I'll handle the arrangements. But right now, we ne

about PR?! He was your father-in-law! He loved you!" I remembered my father, on his deathbe

king. "Just... get them away from me. I

of something akin to pity, crossed his face. A tiny spark of hope ignited wi

ss. "Alec! Oh, Alec! They're still attacking me! My arm, it hurts so bad!" She st

eyes vanished, replaced by the familiar, possessive concern. He shov

ne. "Take care of this, Cydney. You created this mess, you deal with it." His voice w

hidden against his shoulder. He left me there, alone, vulnerable, facing the ravenous media.

ach one with a detached calm, my mind numb with grief and humiliation. When they finally dispers

ill reeking of garbage. I didn't care. I stumbled through the corridors, obliviou

the nurses' station counter. "Whe

pity. "Oh, Ms. Frazier. I'm so sorry. Your father... he was t

thout me? "What?" I whispered, my voice barely a sound. "

Johns was very insistent. He said it was your father's last wish." She paused, realizing she had perhaps said too much. "The

were. Alec, his arm still around Billie, who was now sporting a small bandage on her forearm. They were laughing softly, thei

was nothing left. No more tears. No more fight. Just a profound, chilling emptiness. My phone vibrated

ec had brought to the studio yesterday, now wilting in a vase. "Ms. Frazier, the consultation room will be closed

ting. Though blurred by the tea I' d thrown at Billie, the words were still painfu

I typed back a reply, my fingers stead

"Mrs. Johns," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "This is probably the last time I'll have to call you t