Chapter 15

Present day

The heels clanged sonorously on the tiled floor as its owner moved forward with precise determination and pride. Jolene didn’t need to look up from where she was busy typing to know who it was. She didn’t feel the pang of hurt and annoyance she usually felt whenever she was around, and she was proud of herself that she had grown.

“Hello, Jolene,” Patricia said, smiling as she got to Jolene’s desk, a manicured and painted finger resting on the edge of her desk.

“Hi,” Jolene raised her head up, her hands pausing on the keyboard, and she smiled at Patricia. “So good to see you today, ma’am.”

“Is that so?” Patricia chuckled, tilting her head towards her. “Is Tristan around? Hope he is not busy?”

Jolene rolled her eyes. As if Patricia needed her permission to enter. “Yes, he is around, and he is not busy. Should I notify him that you are around, or he already knows you would be around?”

Patricia smiled. “Please do.” She chuckled. “You are p