Chapter 22

The office temperature plummeted the moment I spoke. Jonathan's already cold gaze became icier. The secretaries, heads bowed, silently filed out at his curt nod. Only Alicia remained.

"Jonathan…"

"Leave us," he commanded, his eyes fixed on me.

Alicia hesitated. "I'm not leaving. Has Ms. Sawyer misunderstood? I can explain… Ms. Sawyer, there's nothing between Jon and me. We've been like siblings since childhood."

I raised an eyebrow. "Siblings with different parents?"

She pursed her lips. "Childhood friends for years. If there were something between us, would there be room for you?"

Jonathan's gaze flickered to Alicia, a flash of coldness I might have imagined. His eyes returned to me. "You don't have to explain. She won't believe you." He spoke as if he'd said it countless times.

"He's right. I don't believe you," I stated.

"We are practically siblings! Jon cares for me, but it's sibling affection!" Alicia insisted.

"Then shall I wish you 'siblings' a happy ever after… as lovers?"

Jonathan's expression darkened. Alicia started to speak, but he cut her off. "Did you come here just to say that?" He spoke to me as he always did—like I was a petulant child. Kind when he was in a good mood, lecturing and scolding when he wasn't.

"I'm here to resign." I produced my letter, meeting his gaze. "From today, I won't be at Millenia. And you don't need to contact me."

He remained silent, not reaching for the letter. After a tense moment, I placed it on his desk and turned to leave. My phone rang. Before I could answer, Jonathan was behind me, his arm around my waist, snatching the phone.

"Who's this?" he asked in a low voice, his eyes on me. I struggled, but his grip held firm.

"Is this Ms. Sawyer? You need a dressing change. When can you come in?"

The hospital. "Dressing change?" Jonathan frowned. "What's wrong with her?"

My face fell. I snatched back the phone. "Jonathan! Who gave you the right to answer my call?"

His eyes narrowed. "What happened to you? Why are you at the hospital?"

"What's it to you? Take care of your Alicia and leave me alone!" I retorted, rolling my eyes.

I turned to leave, but he grabbed my wrist. "Elise!" he gritted out. "What happened to you?"

Alicia softly asked, "Did you get hurt at the pool?"

Jonathan's gaze was intense. "You were hurt?"

I had been hurt. My lungs had bothered me since nearly drowning, so I'd gone for a check-up. But that wasn't why the hospital called. It was my deep wrist wound needing dressing changes. He believed my suicide attempt was faked; there was no need for him to know.

I shook off his hand. "It's none of your business!"