Sammy Jo made his way into the intern's space that morning, ready to work and eager to see what Matthew would do next to make Brad's life hell. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he walked in through the door and met Brad at his seat.“You're… You're early?” Sammy Jo stuttered.“And?” Brad said, his eyes fixed on his laptop.“When did you get in? How did you get on here before me?” Sammy Jo asked. He'd sent him a fake circular saying that interns were to resume at eleven instead of the usual nine. But instead, it seems that Brad had decided to show up at eight.“You act like coming in earlier is a super strength that only you possess.”Sammy Jo gritted his teeth and began to make his way to his own desk, “Pulling the whole goody two shoes act will not fix all the damage you've caused.“You're right, it won't.” Brad turned to smile at him, “but at least it will keep me safe from your stupid revenge scheme.”Sammy Jo had had more than enough. Brad's audacity, the fact that he was sti

Jared hadn't been home in months. The electronic gates, well mannered staff and serene environment were something he'd come to miss. His family's mansion sat in the center of it all, white walls with an indoor pool and taller than most buildings in the area. He parked his guard in the expansive, private lot and slipped out of his seat.“Master Jared.” Someone called. Jared turned to see Bob, his childhood butler. He smiled and shook his hand vigorously.“I saw your car through the kitchen window and I had to rush down and greet you myself.” Bob said enthusiastically.“It's been a while, Bob.”“Truly!” Bob quickly moved to take Jared’s bag from him. “Should I make you something to eat? A sandwich maybe?”“Your signature baloney sandwiches would be well appreciated right now.”“Alright young sir!” Bob beamed. “Come, come. Your father is expecting you.”Jared walked into the house and his shoulders instantly relaxed. The plush carpet felt good underneath his feet and when he followed Bob

Relieved that he'd cleared up the most complicated parts of his life, he set out to get his friends back. Becky had texted him earlier letting him know that she was chilling at Brad's so he decided to meet up with them there.Brad's apartment was simple and quiet. The weather was breezy and chilly and it blew leaves around in a whimsical way. Jared made his way up the small wooden stairs and knocked. Brad appeared in seconds, an eyebrow raised at him.“Hey… can I come in?” Jared asked.Brad wordlessly opened the door and beckoned for him to come in. Brad's house had a small walkway where some pictures were hung on the wall. They walked for a bit before making their way into the living room where Becky was seated, waiting for them.“Hi.” Becky greeted awkwardly. Jared waved back and watched as Brad took a seat beside her. Jared remained standing because he knew he was going to be doing most of the talking.“How are you holding up?” Jared asked Brad. He knew the reinstatement email had

Brad didn’t think.The moment Sammy Jo straightened fully under the flickering streetlight, something in Brad snapped clean in half. All the restraint he’d been holding onto since the day everything fell apart—since the suspension, the humiliation, the cold fear of losing his future—evaporated in a single, blinding surge of rage.He crossed the distance between them in seconds.Sammy Jo barely had time to register what was happening before Brad’s fist closed around the front of his hoodie, fingers digging into fabric and skin alike. The impact slammed Sammy Jo’s back against the side of the car with a dull thud, the metal vibrating beneath them.“What the hell are you doing here?” Brad snarled.His voice was low, shaking with fury, nothing like the measured tone he’d used earlier with Jared or Becky. This was raw. Unfiltered. Months of swallowed resentment finally finding an outlet.Sammy Jo let out a sharp breath, his hands flying up instinctively, palms open in a mockery of surrende

The sound of Brad’s car faded into the night, the soft hum of the engine dissolving into the distant traffic until it was nothing more than memory.Sammy Jo stood there long after the taillights disappeared.For a few seconds—no, longer than that—he simply stared at the empty parking space, his jaw clenched so tightly it ached. His hands curled into fists at his sides, nails digging into his palms. The cold night air felt sharper now, biting into his skin, mocking him.Then he groaned.It wasn’t subtle or restrained. It tore out of him, raw and furious, echoing off the concrete walls of the parking lot. He leaned forward, bracing his hands on his knees, breathing hard as if he’d just lost a fight he was supposed to win.“Unbelievable,” he muttered.He straightened abruptly and kicked the tire of Brad’s now-empty parking spot, the impact jarring his foot. Pain shot up his leg, but he welcomed it. It grounded him. Distracted him from the fact that the apology—his carefully curated, perf