Chapter23: A Broken Woman

Chapter 23: A Broken Woman DMITRI I was making my way back from the parking garage when I saw her – Mrs. Kingston standing in the hallway near the executive bathrooms, looking like she'd been through hell. Her usually immaculate appearance was disheveled, and there was a red mark on her left cheek that made my blood run cold. "Mrs. Kingston?" I approached her carefully, my training kicking in as I looked around the entire area searching for potential threats. "What are you doing here?" She looked up at me with eyes that were filled with hurt and anger. I had never seen her.  Celeste Kingston was someone who was composed, prim and proper even under pressure. But right now, she looked like a woman who'd been pushed beyond her breaking point. "I came to bring Xenois lunch," she said, her voice shaking slightly as she held up a crumpled paper bag, she sniffled and continued speaking. "I wanted to surprise him." My eyes scanned her from head to toe more carefully, taking in the defensive po