It’s been a month since that night. I haven’t seen Noah nor do I wish to. I regret that night more than I regret any other mistake I’ve ever done in my life.
I want to blame it on being high, but I can’t. I had chances–so many chances to leave. To get in my car.
To push him away when he kissed me. But I didn’t. I stayed. And that’s on me.
I blame myself for being weak. For letting those grey eyes lure me in. For falling under his spell when I knew better. I wasn’t strong enough to walk away, and I resent myself for that.
I thought I could forget that night–but it still haunts me. The memory presses on me like a weight I can’t dig myself out from under.
The taste of his lips. Those stormy eyes. The way his body moved against mine. His groans, his pleasure. They haunt me even in sleep. I’ve tried everything to erase them, but nothing works. That night is branded on my mind like a fucking tattoo.
Sighing, I force myself to focus. I stare down at the petri dish in front of me, willing myself to think about work–about the research, the samples. Anything but him.
“Sierra?” one of my teammates calls gently. “Are you okay? You’ve been distracted of late.”
Before I can answer, a mocking voice cuts in.
“She’s probably thinking about how she’s going to use her connections to climb the ladder once again.”
And that ladies and gentlemen, is Jocelyn. My work nemesis. I’m sure almost everyone has one of those.
I glare at her. “I’m not in the mood, Jocelyn.”
“Do I look like I give a damn?” she sneers, practically baring her teeth.
“Seriously, what’s your problem?” Benjamin or Benji as we like to call him, asks, “You’re always picking on Sierra.”
“I’m not picking on her. She’s just weak and pathetic,” Jocelyn spits, clicking her tongue.
God, I hate her stinking attitude. I never understood why but she’s had it out for me since we were in Uni. I ignored her at first, but eventually, her relentless bitterness infected me too, I started hating her back.
I thought I’d be free of her after graduation. But fate had other plans. We were the top two students and ended up recruited by the same company.
“Could you stop with the bitchy attitude?” I growl through clenched teeth. “We’ve got a deadline. Maybe focus on that instead of running your damn mouth.”
“Oh, I will,” she shrugs. “But I can’t wait for the day you fall from grace. I swear I’ll throw a fucking party to
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celebrate it.”
“Sorry to disappoint you,” I mutter flatly, “but that day isn’t coming anytime soon.”
She opens her mouth again, but Benji cuts her off.
“Sierra is our team lead. Show some respect,” he snaps.
I almost tell him that I’m used to it, that this. that this isn’t anything new, and that it’s just Jocelyn being
her usual bitchy self, but I hold back. I’m too nauseous, too tired and definitely not in the mood for a fight.
Instead, I offer him a small, grateful smile.
“She only got the job because of who she knows,” Jocelyn mutters under her breath. “That position
should’ve been mine.”
Jocely had always been in a weird competition with me. She’s convinced my connections to the Woods
and Beckett names are why I got into uni. Why I got this job. Why I became team lead.
Truth be told, Aunt Harper sponsored my studies, but I got into Uni because of my high scores.
Aunt Ava, Aunt Harper, Uncle Rowan and Uncle Gabe would do anything for me if I asked. I know that,
but I’ve never taken advantage of their kindness. I am where I am because I worked for it, not because it
was handed to me on a silver plate.
I tried to explain all this–tried to show her I earned everything on my own. But she never listened and
chose her delusions.
Chapter 554
