The night fell quiet, the air still in the small room Kirah called hers inside her family's modest home. The sound of her siblings' soft snores, the hum of a ceiling fan, and the occasional bark of a neighborhood dog were the only signs that life hadn't come to a halt like her spirit had. Kirah had spent the day putting on her usual brave face,
jovial with her parents, helpful with her siblings, and laughing when she needed to. But now, alone in the dark, she couldn't pretend any longer.
A single tear slipped down her cheek, followed by another, until the dam burst and silent sobs racked her frame. She curled into herself on the bed, hugging her pillow, muffling the sounds so her family wouldn't hear. She had given everything—her time, her mind, her body—to a man who now treated her like a stranger. How stupid could she be? How naive?
She whispered harshly to herself, "You're just one of the many women he's had, Kirah. Nothing special."
But it wasn't just the physicality that hurt. It was the feeling of being wanted—deeply, passionately—only for that desire to turn cold in broad daylight. Dominic's aloofness, his distant replies, the sudden drop in warmth—it all burned deeper than she thought it would.
"He didn't even care," she muttered, wiping her tears. "I gave him something I never gave anyone. And for what?"
The sun rose too fast.
By 6:30 a.m., Kirah was dressed and on her way to Vierra Holdings. It was Friday, and the weekend couldn't come any sooner. With the pay she'd been saving, she was determined to begin arrangements to move her family into a better apartment. That was the dream. If she could focus hard enough on that, maybe the pain would recede.
She arrived early, before many others. The building, with its polished glass and steel, looked like an entirely different world from the one she had come from. But she had carved her way into it. And she wasn't going to let anyone—including Dominic—ruin that.
She worked with intensity, scanning files, fixing reports, barely lifting her head except when necessary. When Dominic passed by her office, she didn't flinch. She didn't look up. He didn't either. But she could feel his eyes linger a bit longer than they should.
She clenched her jaw and focused on the screen.
Around mid-morning, the atmosphere shifted.
Whispers spread like wildfire across the office floor. Secretaries began fixing their blouses, adjusting their hair. Executives stood a bit straighter. Even the elevator guards were on alert.
Dominic's mother had arrived.
Nobody had expected her, but the woman was known for making unannounced visits. She walked in with a designer purse clutched tightly, oversized sunglasses framing her sharp face, and an aura of wealth that practically screamed royalty.
Everyone greeted her with utmost respect. "Ma'am." "Welcome, Ma." "Good morning, Ma."
Kirah, lost in a file, wasn't aware until she almost bumped into the woman while heading to the copier room.
"Oh—I'm so sorry," she said quickly, steadying the woman's arm. "I didn't see you coming."
The woman pulled her arm away like Kirah had spilled acid on her skin.
"And who are you supposed to be?" the older woman asked, looking her up and down.
Kirah straightened herself. "I'm Kirah Evans, part of the executive analyst team."
Dominic's mother raised a perfectly drawn brow. "Hmm. Of course. One of the 'new staff.'" Her tone dripped with disdain.
"I apologize if I was in your way. Please, let me know if there's anything I can do to make your visit smoother."
The older woman waved her off. "You've done enough, dear."
Kirah froze slightly at that. What did she mean?
Before she could say more, one of the older executives stepped in to guide Mrs. Vierra elsewhere. Kirah returned to her desk, trying to push away the awkward interaction.
Later, during a team briefing, she caught Dominic's eye from across the room. His face was unreadable, his jaw set. He didn't speak to her.
But she noticed his clenched fists when he glanced at his mother.
The day trudged on. As everyone settled back into routine, the whispers picked up again.
"I heard she insulted Kirah."
"Serves her right. She thinks she runs this place."
"She didn't even know that was the boss's mom. Yikes."
Kirah heard them all.
But she sat straighter in her chair, more determined than ever.
This was just the beginning. She wasn't going to crumble. Not again.
And if Dominic Vierra thought she'd remain a pawn in his dirty game, then he was sorely mistaken.