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“Thank you” Her understandingat Alex, I say, “I’ll email HR and deal with the necessary paperwork”

He nods, giving his silent agreement

“Good luck, Kate I hope you sort out your eirls you say hi”

“Thanks,” I mumble

Alex takes the phone and ends the call “I’ This number is secure, but I’m—”

“Not taking any chances,” I say hollowly

“Exactly Eat soain later”

“Wait,” I say when he turns for the door “I need to call Joanne I agreed to meet her for lunch today”

His tone is uncoh for today”

I take a step forward “I can’t just not show up She’ll worry”

He unlocks the screen and types sos

“What did you do?” I ask “What did you say to her?”

Turning the phone toward e and Joanne’s reply He told her the sa I said to my mom, that we took a spur-of-the-moment vacation and that she can reach ht and sleeping, but that I’ll call her soon She replied with several gasping eood care of me

“Happy?” he asks

I can only look at him

“I’ll see you later, Katyusha”

When he bends down to kiss s are too raw to accept his advances When he created this imbalance of power, he pushed an obstacle between us I can’t just give in My self-respect won’t let me