The second day was harder than the first.
Not because I didn't know what to do.
But because my body remembered everything.
The exhaustion.
The strain.
The quiet fight I was forcing it through.
"Jessy, file these."
"Jessy, answer that."
"Jessy, schedule this."
Voices came from every direction.
Tasks stacked on top of each other.
And I kept going.
Because I had to.
Because stopping wasn't an option.
"Hey…"
I looked up.
A girl stood beside me, holding two cups.
She smiled gently.
"You look like you're fighting for your life," she said lightly.
I almost laughed.
"Feels like it."
She handed me one cup.
"Tea. It helps."
I hesitated.
Then took it.
"Thanks."
"I'm Nina," she added.
"Jessy."
"I know," she said with a small smile.
Something about her felt easy.
Real.
Not judging.
Not watching.
Just… kind.
By midday, more faces had become familiar.
Nina.
Mark—who talked too much but meant well.
Lydia—quiet, but observant.
For the first time since I started…
I didn't feel completely alone.
But my body…
Wasn't keeping up.
The nausea came back stronger.
Heavier.
Like a wave I couldn't outrun.
I pressed my hand lightly against the desk.
Breathe.
Just breathe.
"You sure you're okay?" Nina asked softly.
"I'm fine," I whispered.
But even I didn't believe it anymore.
Upstairs…
Elias Kingston stood in his office.
Still.
Focused.
But not on the documents in front of him.
"Her file," he said.
His assistant nodded immediately.
"You want everything?"
"Yes."
No hesitation.
Minutes later…
He held it.
Jessy.
Age.
Student.
No experience.
And then—
His eyes paused.
Pregnant.
Silence filled the room.
His expression didn't change much.
But something in his gaze deepened.
Shifted.
"Keep an eye on her," he said calmly.
"Yes, sir."
Back downstairs…
Everything blurred.
The voices.
The movement.
The light.
It all felt too much.
Too fast.
Too heavy.
"Jessy—"
I heard my name.
But it sounded far away.
Distant.
Like it wasn't meant for me.
My grip loosened.
The world tilted.
And then—
Darkness.
"Jessy!"
Voices.
Panic.
Movement.
"Get water!"
"She fainted!"
Everything came back slowly.
In pieces.
Voices first.
Then light.
Then faces.
Blurry at first.
Then clear.
I was lying down.
Nina beside me.
Mark pacing.
Lydia watching quietly.
"You scared us," Nina said softly.
"I'm…" I tried to speak.
But my voice failed.
"Don't talk," she said quickly.
And then…
The room shifted again.
Not physically.
But in energy.
Silence spread.
Tension followed.
And I knew.
Before I even looked.
He was there.
Elias.
Standing a few steps away.
Watching.
Not rushing.
Not panicking.
Just… observing.
But this time, it was different.
This wasn't curiosity.
This was something deeper.
Something more aware.
"Clear the area," he said calmly.
People moved immediately.
No questions.
No hesitation.
Within seconds, the space felt quieter.
Controlled again.
Just like him.
"Can you stand?" Nina asked gently.
I nodded slowly.
They helped me sit up.
Then stand.
Carefully.
Everything still felt a little unstable.
But I held on.
Elias didn't move closer.
Even though it felt like he wanted to.
Even though his eyes didn't leave me.
Instead, he spoke.
"Take the rest of the day off."
It wasn't a suggestion.
"Yes, sir," I replied softly.
Our eyes met briefly.
And in that moment…
Something passed between us.
Not words.
Not emotion.
But understanding.
He knew.
More than others.
More than I had said.
And yet…
He didn't step closer.
Didn't ask questions.
Didn't cross the line.
Even though he clearly wanted to.
Outside…
Someone else had seen everything.
Cypher.
He had come for something else.
A meeting.
A connection.
Business.
But then—
He saw me.
Through the glass.
Collapsing.
Being helped.
Being surrounded.
His expression changed instantly.
Shock.
Confusion.
Something else.
Something deeper.
He took a step forward.
Instinctively.
Like he was about to walk in.
To come to me.
To say something.
To do something.
But then—
A hand wrapped around his arm.
Vanessa.
"Where are you going?" she asked sharply.
He hesitated.
Just for a second.
His eyes still fixed on me inside.
"I thought I saw someone," he said.
Her gaze followed his.
And landed on me.
Her expression changed.
Recognition.
Then—
Annoyance.
"Oh," she said. "Her."
The word carried weight.
Dismissal.
Judgment.
"You're not seriously concerned, are you?" she added, her tone sharp.
Cypher didn't answer immediately.
And that silence…
Said everything.
Vanessa's eyes narrowed slightly.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Inside…
I gathered my things slowly.
"I'll walk you out," Nina said.
"You don't have to."
"I want to."
As we walked toward the exit…
I felt it.
That same presence again.
Watching.
I turned slightly.
And there he was.
Elias.
Standing at a distance.
Not approaching.
But not leaving either.
Just watching.
Like he was making a decision.
Or maybe…
Fighting one.
Outside…
The air felt different.
Lighter.
But my chest still felt heavy.
"You need to take care of yourself," Nina said.
"I will."
"You're strong," she added.
I shook my head slightly.
"I'm just trying."
She smiled.
"That's enough."
Across the parking area…
Cypher stood still.
Watching me.
Really watching.
For the first time in a long time.
Not as the girl he left.
But as someone else.
Someone he didn't fully understand anymore.
Someone… he couldn't reach.
And this time…
I didn't see him.
I didn't look.
I didn't feel him.
Because my focus had changed.
My life had shifted.
Behind him, Vanessa crossed her arms.
Her gaze sharp.
Calculating.
Jessy wasn't just a girl anymore.
She was becoming something else.
Something that didn't sit right with her.
Something that felt like a threat.
And upstairs…
Elias stood by the window.
Watching as I left.
His jaw slightly tense.
His thoughts… no longer simple.
Because now he knew.
And that changed everything.