Chapter 482

I wasn't sure if Brandon would regret it. Just thinking about how he left so decisively made my heart ache. That feeling only got worse as the night dragged on and it kept me wide awake. It didn't hurt this much when I parted ways with Chris. I powered through the night, getting up at dawn to wash up and get ready for work. I'd see Brandon there, and after such a rough night, I wondered how he was holding up. Before heading there, I carefully put on some makeup to cover up my exhaustion. I ran into Xander in the company lobby. As always, he waved enthusiastically when he saw me. "Ms. Crown, good morning!" Every time he greeted me, it felt like he was reuniting with a long-lost family member—warm and excited like he might wrap me in a tearful hug. "Good morning, Mr. Roulder!" I replied with a slight nod. "Why are you alone? Didn't your 'better half' come with you?" he asked, grinning mischievously. Those words, "better half", hit harder than just saying Brandon's name would have.