#Chapter 203: The Return

Agnes I straightened my blouse one last time before pushing open the glass door to the design department. It had been almost a month since I’d last set foot in the office—first because of the fire, then because of everything with Thea and the house rebuild. I wasn’t nervous, exactly, but there was a strange fluttering in my stomach as I stepped inside. “SURPRISE!” I nearly jumped out of my skin at the shouts. Blinking in shock, I took in the scene: a banner reading “WELCOME BACK AGNES!” was hung across the far wall, colorful cupcakes were arranged on a table in the center of the room, and my entire team was grinning at me. “What the—” I started, then found myself engulfed in a hug as Gertrude barreled into me. “We’ve missed you so much,” she said, squeezing me tight. “It’s been absolutely dreadful without you here.” “Oh, come on,” I laughed, awkwardly patting her back. “You see me all the time, Gertrude. And shouldn’t you be in your own depart