(wrong chapter working on it)
RHEA'S POV:
Because the second realization dawned on him—what he was doing, how he was holding me—his expression shifted.
His ears turned red.
Red.
I had never seen Mr. Cortez flustered before.
And then, like the absolute jerk he is—
He let go.
Immediately.
No gradual release. No gentle repositioning.
He just dropped me.
And gravity, loyal and consistent, finished what it had started.
I hit the ground.
Pain shot up my palms and knees. The documents scattered slightly. My dignity? Completely obliterated.
Above me, he cleared his throat sharply.
"Stop your nonsense," he muttered, voice tight.
Nonsense?
Nonsense?!
As if I had tripped on purpose just to experience dramatic physical contact.
His ears were still faintly red as he turned away stiffly and walked toward the car.
Just like that.
Leaving me on the ground.
To fend for myself.
I stared at his retreating back in disbelief.
This man had the audacity.
