CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND THREE – THE HEDGE IS BROKEN

Kayla let her tears fall unrestrained once he was gone. The distance between them had become a gaping chasm, one she feared may get wider–insurmountable–thanks to whoever was orchestrating these cruel deceptions. As the week wore on, Kayla tried focusing all her energy into preparing for the rapidly approaching tech summit at Storm Enterprises. Throwing herself into work obligations was the sole tactic keeping her from shattering completely over the disintegration of her relationship. Even that failed to fully assuage her anxiety and despair. Minor oversights or delays in tasks set her on edge, convinced they may be intentional sabotage from an unseen hand. It didn't help that Lance kept her at arm's length, his smoldering silence lacerating deeper on the rare occasions she attempted conversation. He trusted her once more, but this duplicity–this perceived proof of infidelity–had irreparably shaken the foundations of his faith. The tension lingering between Kayla and Lance cast a p