Catalyst: A GrumpySunshine, Office Romance (The Metamorphosis Series Book 1) by Shelby Gunter

Author:Shelby Gunter [Gunter, Shelby]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-09-21T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22

Ellie

I smile at Adam. “Let me run to the bathroom, then we can leave.”

“I’ll wait here for you. Send me a text if you need a rescue.”

I kiss him once more because I can’t help myself and then run down the hallway to the bathroom that no one at the party would be allowed to use. I turn the handle, sort of expecting it to be locked. I wouldn’t put it past my mom. When it turns, I step inside and let out a deep breath. My shoulders drop, and I sag against the doorway.

I’ve been carefully holding myself together for the past hour and a half, and I don’t have it in me to keep it locked down any longer. I learned at a very early age that showing any weakness in this crowd was the worst thing you could do. Bullying is a sport in my mom’s friend group, and every one of them passed it down to their children.

That’s why I got so good at staying off their radar. The worst part is my mother is just as bad as her friends. Stephanie is the only one who never bullied me, although I wouldn’t be surprised if she laughed at their jokes behind my back. It’s either eat or get eaten in this world.

I shouldn’t have come today. I knew the minute I agreed to be here that it was a bad idea. But sometimes, I’m still that little girl who wants to be a part of her family. I’m grateful Adam came with me. Otherwise, the showdown with my mom in the kitchen would’ve been ten times worse. I probably would have left with hurt feelings and mascara running down my face instead of a smile stretching my cheeks.

The way he shut her down without making a scene was a thing of beauty. And him asking me if I wanted to see my dad, ignoring my mom’s attempt at blocking me out… He is so getting rewarded for that later.

I grin at my reflection in the mirror. It’s weird to be in this house and feel happy for once. I have no intention of ever returning, but at least the last time I’m here is ending better than I could’ve ever imagined.

Finishing up my business, I dry my hands on the fancy towels that hang on the wall, getting a sick satisfaction about dirtying them up. I open the door, beyond ready to get out of here and enjoy the rest of my evening, when I run right into a suit-clad chest.

The smell of his cologne makes my stomach drop and my hands start to shake in fear. That scent will forever be linked to what he did to me.

“Well, look who it is. The prodigal daughter returns.” Junior’s smarmy voice sends fear streaking through me like lightning. No. I will not let him hurt me again.

I step back, swallowing down the bile clogging my throat. I can’t even bring myself to look at him.

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