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Chapter 24: Rumors

last update Last Updated: 2025-01-10 12:13:26

Emma's Point of View

Walking into the office building that morning felt like stepping onto the stage of a play where I was the unwitting female lead character. Heads turned as I passed, whispers floated around me, and eyes darted away when I tried to meet their gazes. Something was definitely up. I wasn’t sure what, but the energy was unmistakable.

“Good morning, Marian,” I said with forced cheerfulness as I approached the receptionist’s desk. Marian, usually quick with a smile and a friendly comment, froze as if she had been caught doing something she shouldn’t. Her wide eyes scanned me up and down like I had sprouted another head overnight.

“What’s going on? Why is everyone staring?” I asked, glancing nervously over my shoulder. The lobby buzzed with low murmurs, and I could feel the weight of curious eyes pressing against my back.

Marian hesitated before picking up her phone and turning it toward me. “You don’t know, do you?” she asked, her voice a mix of disbelief and pity.

I lean
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