Chapter 15

A surge of joy coursed through Joyce, ridding her of the funk she'd been in the last few days. Having gotten the answer she wanted, she kept watching the clock, waiting for the workday to end. It was the first time in five years that she was this eager to get off work. Time seemed to trickle by. Once it was finally the end of the work day, Joyce rushed down the building and waited beside Neal's car. Ten minutes later, Neal was about to head home when he saw Joyce waiting by his car. Her face lit up with a smile when she saw him. "Are you free today, Neal? My mother heard you're back in the country, and she's dying to see you." Neal was going to leave without even talking to Joyce, but he paused at the mention of Marie. While he and Joyce had split up, during their five-year relationship, Marie had treated him well. There was no harm in visiting her. "I'll drop by to see her when I'm free," Neal replied before getting into his car. Even as he started his engine, Joyce refused to le