#Chapter 145: Girls’ Night

Agnes I pulled into the driveway around seven, exhausted after a long day of sewing, designing, and avoiding Maria’s knowing glances. The bathroom incident with Elijah had been the talk of the design department by lunchtime—whispers and stifled giggles following me throughout the afternoon. I’d buried myself in work, focusing on the new dress design with laser precision, trying to forget the feeling of Elijah’s lips on mine and his hands on my thighs. However, the house was oddly quiet when I entered. No TV sounds, no clattering in the kitchen. Usually, when I got home late, Elijah would be cooking dinner or helping Thea with homework. “Hello?” I called out, dropping my bag by the door. Thea’s head popped out from her bedroom. “Hi, Mommy! Daddy’s not home,” she said, answering my unasked question. “Beta James picked me up from school.” My stomach twisted slightly at that. Where was Elijah? After our encounter in the bathroom, I’d half-expected him t