There was nothing Simone could do that day to get the hateful comments out of her head. She shouldn’t care about what strangers thought of her — she absolutely should not — but a part of her was still hurt. And despite William’s reassurance, she feared that this scandal might cost him more than he was actually ready to lose. She didn’t want to be the reason for his downfall, and would rather drink acid than lead the man she loved to his ruin.
She cared for his happiness, and it was exactly because she did that she told him she needed to get off work early that evening. She needed to get her sh*it together, and think her next decision through.
William looked at her with eyes full of questions, but he still nodded at her, and gave her the green light.
Stares and whispers followed her as s
