Chapter 69 Assurance

Alicia Davenport I couldn’t sit still. The second Nicholas left my office, slamming the door behind him, the tension in the room didn’t dissipate—it thickened, wrapping around me like an unshakable force. I stormed to the window, staring out at the city skyline, my thoughts racing. The argument with Nicholas had left me infuriated. How dare he walk in here like he owned me? How dare he act as if I needed to explain myself to him? I was my own person. I wasn’t some possession he could dictate. But despite my anger, I couldn't shake the nagging thought that Nicholas had never reacted like this before. Not once, even when we discussed seeing other people, did he ever care. So why now? Why was this what set him off? I exhaled harshly and paced back and forth across my office, my heels clicking against the floor. I should be working. I had deadlines to meet, a project to complete—but my focus was shot. All I could think about was that damn photo. That stupid article. And the