Chapter 3

Life went on. Work was hectic, and sometimes I had to deal with my sleazy boss.

He was gay and made no attempt to hide his interest in me. He’d find any excuse to touch me or crack inappropriate jokes under the guise of “work.”

One time, Helen came to pick me up from the office and, seeing the situation, casually introduced herself as my girlfriend. From that day on, the harassment stopped completely, and I finally had some peace.

I’d been living in Emberwood for nearly two years when my company assigned me to a project in Starfall.

Within days, I packed my things and boarded a flight with a few colleagues.

The moment the plane touched down, representatives from the partner company were already waiting for us at the airport to escort us to the hotel.

When we arrived, I froze at the entrance.

It was the same hotel Natalie and I had stayed at countless times. The memories I thought I’d buried surged forward like a tidal wave, overwhelming me.

It wasn’t until I saw the receptionist behind the front desk—a stranger, not the familiar face I dreaded—that I finally relaxed.

“Welcome, Mr. Baker. Welcome, Ms. Cooper…”