Chapter 109

Chloe’s POV

I killed the office lights and dropped to the floor, sliding under her desk, pulling my knees close to my chest. I covered my mouth with my palm, pressing hard to silence my breathing.

Footsteps climbed the stairs.

Heavy.

Fast.

The office door swung open.

Light flooded the room.

“Ma’am, we heard something,” a guard said.

Another set of heels entered behind him.

Margaret.

My body went rigid.

She stepped into the room slowly.

I could see only the bottom of her dress and her heels from under the desk.

The guard scanned the space.

“It was probably just something unstable,” he muttered.

Margaret didn’t respond immediately.

Her heels clicked across the floor.

Closer. Too close.

I pressed my hand tighter over my mouth, terrified that even the smallest breath would betray me. My heart was pounding so violently I was sure they could hear it.

She stopped near th