Nelly's eyes locked onto mine, burning with quiet defiance. Her fury wasn't loud, but it was absolute, a force all its own. If looks could kill, I'd already be buried six feet under.
"You better thank your stars I'm broke and can't afford to lose this job," she said, voice steady, measured—controlled, even in her anger.
Then—just for a second—her composure wavered. A single tear slipped free. She wiped it away quickly, like it was an inconvenience, like she refused to let me see her break.
Something twisted deep in my chest.
I exhaled slowly, keeping my own expression unreadable. "It wasn't meant to upset you," I said smoothly, voice lower now. "If this is too much, I'll handle it another way."
I turned away, adjusting the cuff of my sleeve as I reached for my phone. Jack. I need a stand-in. Someone who looks like Nelly.
I pressed the call button.
"You're on your way?" I asked the second he picked up.
"With the ring, yeah. Few minutes out."
