Alex looked down at Lisa, still sprawled on the floor, and felt... nothing. No guilt for pushing her. No regret for slapping Ben. No sympathy for their humiliation. Just a cold, clear certainty that he was done being their victim."Let me make something very clear," Alex said, his voice carrying through the silent café. "I'm done with both of you. Done being your punching bag, done being the butt of your jokes, done letting you make me feel small and worthless. You want to mock my career? Fine. You want to call me names? Fine. But if either of you ever lays a hand on me again, if either of you threatens me again, I will defend myself. And I won't feel bad about it.""You're insane," Ben mumbled through his swollen face, leaning heavily on a table for support. "Both of you are insane.""No," Alex corrected. "We're just done tolerating your bullshit."He turned to Lisa, who was now struggling to gather her scattered belongings while still sitting on the floor. "And you, Lisa. You lost t

Alex shifted uncomfortably, his instincts telling him to decline the manager's offer. There was something off about the way Tony was looking at Mia—too interested, too eager. And the barely concealed disdain in his eyes when they flickered to Alex set off warning bells."Actually, that's very kind of you, but—" Alex started."We appreciate the offer, Tony," Mia interrupted smoothly, "but we really should be going. Alex has work, and I have meetings—""Oh, but I insist!" Tony's smile widened, though it didn't reach his eyes. "It's the least I can do after such an... unpleasant incident in my establishment. Please, Miss Richardson. Just a quick breakfast. Our chef has prepared something special, and it would be an honor."Alex tried again. "Really, I need to report to work on time. I can't—""Alex," Mia said gently, turning to face him. She saw the discomfort written plainly across his face and softened her expression. "It's fine. You're technically on medical leave still, remember? You

Alex looked at Tony for a long moment, taking in the man's confident expression, his expensive suit, his self-satisfied smile. Then Alex simply shrugged."Do whatever you want," Alex said calmly. "It's none of my business."The response was so unexpected, so utterly blasé, that Tony actually stumbled over his next words. "I... what? You're just—you're not going to—""Going to what?" Alex asked, his tone mild. "Argue with you? Fight for Mia's affection like we're in some kind of competition?" He shook his head. "That's not how this works. Mia's her own person. She makes her own choices. If she wants to entertain your... courtship, that's her decision."Tony's mouth opened and closed like a fish. He'd clearly expected resistance, jealousy, some kind of emotional outburst that would prove Alex was just a possessive, insecure nobody. But Alex's complete indifference had thrown him completely off script."You... you don't care?" Tony managed finally."I care about Mia being happy," Alex sa

Alex had just pulled up to the front of the Vinda Corporation building, the sleek glass tower where Mia's office was located. Mia was gathering her briefcase and purse when Alex's phone rang.He glanced at the screen and frowned. "Jenkins. That's weird, he usually doesn't call during work hours.""Answer it," Mia said, pausing.Alex swiped to accept the call. "Hey, Jenkins, what's—""Alex, thank God!" Jenkins's voice was urgent, stressed in a way Alex had rarely heard. "Where are you right now?""I'm... I just dropped off a friend at her office. Why? What's wrong?""What's wrong is that Captain Morrison is about to end your career, that's what's wrong!" Jenkins's words came out in a rush. "He's demanding you get to the station right now. You have fifteen minutes, Alex. Fifteen minutes from when I hang up this phone, or he's writing you up for dereliction of duty."Alex felt his blood run cold. "What? Jenkins, I'm on medical leave. I don't report back until next week—""I know that! I

"Stop the car," Alex said urgently."What?" The cab driver looked at him through the rearview mirror. "Sir, we're stuck in traffic. I can't exactly—""I said stop the car!" Alex's hand was already on the door handle.The driver hit the brakes, and Alex was out before the vehicle had fully stopped. He stood on the street, staring at the burning building ahead, his mind racing.Fifteen minutes. He had maybe ten minutes left now to get to the firehouse. Ten minutes to save his career, to prove to Morrison and the rest of the crew that he wasn't a slacker, that he still cared about his job.But people could be in that building. Construction workers who'd been caught by the fire. Security personnel. Someone.And there were no firefighters. No emergency response. Just flames and smoke and time running out for whoever might be trapped inside.Your job or their lives, a voice in his head demanded. Choose.Alex closed his eyes for a brief second, his jaw clenching. Then his eyes snapped open,