CHAPTER TWENTY NINE – CRAZY BOYFRIEND

In the aftermath of Tom's escape, the center was in chaos. Police swarmed the building, questioning staff and securing evidence. Joan found herself recounting the overheard conversation multiple times, kicking herself for not managing to record it. As the day finally wound down, Joan slumped in her office chair, emotionally and physically exhausted. She had been right about Tom, but the victory felt hollow. The center's reputation was in tatters, and the full extent of the financial damage was still unknown. Joan's phone buzzed with a text from Vito: "Heard what happened at the center. Crazy stuff. Want me to come over?" Joan stared at the message, feeling a surge of conflicting emotions. Part of her longed for comfort, for someone to hold her and tell her everything would be okay. But another part remembered Vito's dismissal of her concerns, his lack of faith in her judgment. After a long moment, she typed back: "Thanks, but I think I need some time alone to process everything."