Chapter 57

Elaine

I hurried down the dimly lit corridor, my footsteps echoing on the shiny marble floors. The air carried the scent of fresh coffee and a hint of lemon from the janitor's recent cleaning. Clutching a thin folder tightly against my chest, I made my way to Nancy’s office.

Approaching my destination, my heart started racing. I paused, took a deep breath, and tried to calm myself. It wasn’t that I was afraid of her, but I dreaded interacting with Nancy. Whenever she was around, she imposed her authority and intimidated me. It had reached the point where she would humiliate me in front of others. The situation had become so toxic that I tried to avoid her as much as possible. Thankfully, Marie was always there to support me. Despite this, I couldn’t completely avoid Nancy, knowing she was our department head.

The office door, made of dark wood, seemed more imposing than usual. Nancy’s nameplate gleamed in the artificial light. I knew what awaited me beyond that door, so I approached w