Chapter 4
582words
"I want your explanation," he demanded in a low voice, shutting the door behind him.
"It's personal," I replied.
"Because of Maxwell?" he asked, eyes narrowing. "Do you two know each other?"
I stopped what I was doing and responded, "He's my high school classmate."
"Just a classmate?" Zachary pressed, stepping closer. "Given your reaction, it doesn't seem like you've just run into an old classmate."
I let out a bitter laugh. He was too sharp, and there was no way I could hide anything from him.
"Maxwell is just someone I used to have a crush on," I admitted.
At least, that was what had happened in this life.
"Is it worth giving up everything you've worked for for five years?" Zachary asked, planting both hands on my desk and leaning in.
"All that just to avoid him? Jocelyn, have you lost your mind?"
"You don't understand…"
"Then make me," he snapped, his voice unusually sharp. "I've known you for five years. You're not the type to run from responsibility, and now you're willing to give up everything for someone from your past?"
I looked up at him, and the fury in his eyes made the air feel colder. "Zachary…"
"Please stay," he pleaded, his voice softening. "If you don't want to see him, I'll transfer him back to Elmshore. Just don't leave. The company needs you, and I…"
He didn't finish, but I knew exactly what he meant.
A sharp, unfamiliar pang hit my chest. In my previous life, no one had ever made me feel valued and mattered to someone.
"I need time to think about it," I said.
Zachary nodded. Before walking out, he stopped and said, "Don't let him ruin you for a second time."
The words hit like a knife to the chest. He was right. I'd already let Maxwell ruin my life once, and there was no way I'd give him another shot.
After work, Maxwell blocked my way to the elevator.
"Can we talk?" he asked, his voice low and gentle. That was exactly the tone he had used to coax me in my previous life.
"There's nothing to talk about," I said, moving past him.
"Jocelyn." He grabbed my wrist and questioned, "Why have you been avoiding me all these years?"
I yanked my arm free and retorted, "Mr. Sutton, please keep your hands to yourself."
"I know you don't have feelings for me anymore," he said in a low voice. "Just give me five minutes. I have something important to tell you."
"Something important?" I laughed coldly. "What? You and Angelica are getting married? Or should I mark my calendar for your daughter's baby shower?"
Maxwell's face went white. "How… How do you know about Angelica? And I never said anything about having a daughter."
That was when I realized I'd slipped up.
In my previous life's timeline, Angelica had just gotten pregnant around this time. Also, Rebecca hadn't even been born yet.
"Lucky guess," I said quickly, trying to keep my expression steady even as my heart pounded. "You two were dating back in high school, right?"
The elevator arrived, and I quickly stepped inside.
Maxwell followed me and hit the door close button. Then he gripped my shoulders firmly.
"No." He stared at me, his eyes bloodshot and wild. "You know too much, Jocelyn. Unless…"
The elevator began to descend.
"Unless you had been reborn, too."
