Elena's POV
I stared at the picture again.
Not just Mariah standing with Derick—
but what was in her hand.
A flash drive.
Small. Silver. Like nothing.
But everything.
She was handing it to him.
Not exchanging pleasantries. Not meeting by accident.
She gave him something.
My stomach twisted.
What the hell was on that drive?
I looked around my office—suddenly unsure of what was still mine.
She had access. She'd been in here.
Before hours. After hours.
The thought made me cold.
What did she take?
What did he know?
I should've felt rage. Panic.
But all I felt was still.
Because now I had something too.
Proof.
I couldn't move yet. Couldn't act.
But I could wait. Watch.
Let her feel safe.
Let her think I hadn't seen.
And when the time was right—
I'd tear it all down.
---
A few hours later, I heard a knock.
Soft. Careful.
Not Mariah.
I opened the door—and there she was.
Anna.
Dressed simply. No makeup. Hair tied back like she had nothing to prove.
