Talia lies in a dim, quiet room. Clean clothes have replaced the torn ones. Her hair's been brushed gently back. Her wrists are wrapped. An IV drips slowly beside her.
She looks asleep, but she isn't.
Her eyes are wide open, staring into space.
The nurse checks her vitals. Talia doesn't flinch.
In the corner of the room, a box of clothes sits, labeled: Property of Patient – Evidence Collected.
The trauma is invisible now—but no less real.
Wolfe Tower – Morning – 8:55 a.m.
The sun reflects sharply off the steel-and-glass structure of Wolfe & Co. Employees move quickly, heads down. The atmosphere is tense—especially on the executive floor.
Adrian Wolfe strides in, tailored in black. His watch ticks to the second. His assistant follows at a slight jog, rattling off updates.
"Marketing numbers are in, the Tokyo call has been moved, and Talia Brooks hasn't checked in."
Adrian stops walking.
He turns. Slowly.
"What did you say?"
Alexander fumbles. "Talia. The new girl. She didn't report to work."
Adrian's jaw clenches. "No email?"
"Nothing."
He exhales harshly. "Unbelievable."
Adrian's Office – Seconds Later
Alex knocks, then peeks in.
Adrian doesn't look up. "Yes?"
Alex steps in, his voice low, deferential. "Sir, there's been an update… regarding Miss Brooks."
Adrian's brow lifts slightly.
Alex swallows.
"She… she was found unconscious behind the company lot late last night. There are signs of… assault. She was taken to St. Luke's. She's stable, but…"
Adrian looks up sharply. His hand tightens around his pen.
Something shifted in Adrian's expression.
It was subtle — a slight narrowing of his eyes, the faintest pull at the corner of his mouth — but Alexander saw it. I saw it too well.
It wasn't anger. It wasn't irritating. It was… concerning. Real concern.
And beneath that — something even rarer.
Something dangerous.
Affection.
Alexander's chest tightened, a coil of jealousy and dread twisting together.
Adrian leaned back in his chair, tapping the pen against the desk once. "What happened?"
"Details aren't clear yet",
Alexander forced a thin smile. "I'll handle the situation. You don't need to get involved."
Adrian's gaze snapped back to him, sharp as a blade. "That's not your decision."
For a moment, the air between them was charged — the unspoken knowledge that Talia Brooks had just become more than another employee in Adrian Wolfe's eyes.
And that terrified Alexander.
Because when Adrian wanted something, he got it.
And Alexander had just realized he wasn't the only man in the building who wanted her.
A long pause.
Then he stands, walks to the window.
His voice is cold, clipped. "Was it made public?"
"No, sir. It was handled quietly."
"Good. Have billing redirected to our private account. All expenses covered. No press. No statements. Nothing leaves this office."
Alex nods. "Yes, sir."
Adrian adds, "And you'll remain here. We don't need more eyes on this."
Alex hesitates. "Of course, sir. But… if I may suggest—"
Adrian turns.
Alex drops his gaze instantly.
"I just think someone she trusts should be there. Even if discreetly."
Adrian's jaw ticks. "I said no."
Alex nods slowly. "Understood."
St. Luke's Medical Center – Later That Morning
Of course… Alex still goes.
He slips out quietly with a small bouquet of flowers wrapped in brown paper. He looks almost sheepish as he walks past the reception desk—more like a nervous boyfriend than a powerful executive assistant.
He takes the elevator up to her floor, adjusting his tie in the reflection.
Talia's Room – Private Wing
She turns at the sound of the door.
Her face is pale, lips dry, eyes tired.
But when she sees Alex—holding flowers, eyes filled with worry and warmth—something shifts.
Not quite a smile. But a flicker of peace.
He steps in quietly.
"I told Mr. Wolfe I wouldn't come," he whispers. "But I couldn't not."
Alex steps in, dressed in a simple shirt, no suit jacket today—no ego. Just him. Holding a small bag and a shy smile.
"You're really leaving, huh?"
Talia smiles faintly. "Guess Wolfe & Co. needs their coffee girl back."
Alex steps closer. "I brought you something."
He reaches into the bag and pulls out a hoodie—oversized, soft, and navy blue.
"It's mine. Smells like peppermint and drama. I thought it might feel safer than a uniform right now."
Talia laughs, softly. She takes it, presses it to her face, and breathes in.
"Thank you, Alex."
He pauses. "I mean it… you don't have to rush back. You don't owe anyone that."
Her smile fades. That's when the phone rings.
She looks at the screen. It's Adrian.
Alex notices. "You want me to stay?"
She shakes her head. "I'll be okay."
Alex leaves reluctantly, brushing her shoulder as he passes. She holds onto the warmth like a lifeline.
Wolfe Tower – Adrian's Office – Late Afternoon
The office is silent.
Adrian stands at the massive glass wall, staring at the skyline—but he's not seeing it. He's feeling it. The weight. The control slipping.
His secretary enters hesitantly. "Sir… just letting you know the company account was used at St. Luke's around 11:30 a.m."
He doesn't turn. "That's when I ordered the transfer."
"Yes, sir. But someone… someone signed in just now at the front desk too."
Adrian turns slowly. "Who?"
The assistant hesitates. Then quietly: "Mr. Alex, sir."
Silence.
Adrian sets down his crystal glass—calmly.
"You're dismissed."
Wolfe's office– Moments Later
Alex closed the door softly behind him, standing just inside the threshold. "You wanted to see me, sir?"
Adrian didn't look up right away, his gaze fixed on a file that hadn't been turned in over five minutes. When he finally raised his eyes, they were cold.
"You went to the hospital."
Alex shifted, hands clasped behind his back in the way he always stood when being addressed formally. "Yes, sir. I… I thought it was the right thing to do."
"I told you not to," Adrian said evenly.
"Yes, sir, you did." Alex's voice was calm, but careful. "But she was alone. She works for you, and I felt—"
"You felt?" Adrian's tone sharpened, though he never raised his voice. "I make decisions in this company, Alex. Not you. When I give an instruction, I expect it followed."
Alex's eyes dropped briefly, a flicker of humility. "Understood, sir. I only wanted to make sure she was alright."
Adrian's expression didn't soften, but something in his gaze darkened — as if the very thought of Talia in that hospital stirred something he didn't want anyone else touching.
"Next time, don't overstep," he said, each word deliberate. "Especially where she's concerned."
"Yes, Mr. Wolfe." Alex inclined his head slightly, choosing not to ask the question that was burning in his chest: Why her?
Adrian turned away, effectively ending the conversation, but Alex caught it — that flicker in the boss's eyes when her name was mentioned.
Respectfully, Alex stepped out, closing the door as quietly as he'd entered.
Only when the latch clicked did Adrian exhale, staring out into the rain with a shadowed expression.