But he cut me off sharply. “Write a one-thousand-word reflection. You’ll apologize publicly at the afternoon meeting.”
A baseless accusation against me, and he demanded an apology. Meanwhile, the rumors that had been hammered into his ears were treated like air.
Before, I used to convince myself he was simply keeping personal and professional matters separate.
But now that I knew I’d always been nothing more than cheap labor to him, I didn’t even have the strength to defend myself.
I swallowed the bitterness and lowered my gaze, forcing a small smile.
“You’re right,” I said quietly. “I admit I’m not as capable. I’ll apologize.”
Then I bowed slightly to Yvette and added, “Miss Bellamy, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have questioned your ability. I shouldn’t have even thought about filing for a review.”
Despite that, she didn’t respond.
I was about to lift my head, but Sean pressed a firm hand against my lower back, forcing me down.
He then leaned close to my ear, his voice soft and almost coaxing. “I promised her father I wouldn’t let her suffer. Just bear with it a little and put on a show.”
His hand pressed down harder, pushing directly on my injured lower back. A sharp, stabbing pain shot through me, stealing my breath.
Yes, Yvette’s father had helped him once, and he wanted to repay that favor. But what about me?
Years ago, during an inspection of a construction site, a machine malfunctioned. Without thinking, I rushed forward to shield him from the swinging control lever, and it smashed into the side of my lower back, leaving me with a serious injury.
Back then, he had red eyes as he asked if I had a death wish. He massaged my back every day during my recovery.
And now, he was pressing down on the very injury I got for him all to help the person who had humiliated me.
What a ridiculous way to repay kindness.
Those few seconds felt like an eternity. By the time I raised my head again, it felt like my waist had snapped in half.
Yvette let out a dramatic gasp, pretending to be concerned. “Oh my, I almost forgot. Eliza hurt her back saving you, didn’t she? Mr. Thompson, you really don’t know how to cherish a woman. How cold-hearted.”
His hand loosened instantly. A shadow crossed his face. “If… if there’s nothing else, you can go.”
I bit down on my lip, trembling, and forced myself upright despite the tearing pain. Then I walked out.
But it was Yvette’s words that cut the deepest.