Severed ties

Alison left Henry's office, her mind a whirlwind of emotion. She had just come as close as she ever had to admitting her feelings for him, but she knew now wasn't the time. He was still suspicious of her, and rightly so. She had betrayed his trust once—twice, if she counted the Mark situation—and Henry didn't seem like a man who forgave easily.

As she walked down the hallway, lost in thought, she nearly collided with Ling Jia. The sharp, business-like woman quickly steadied Alison, her eyes sharp as ever.

"Everything okay?" Ling Jia asked, her tone neutral but her eyes probing.

Alison offered a tired smile. "Just had a conversation with Henry. He's… still not sure he can trust me."

Ling Jia nodded knowingly. "That's to be expected. But the fact that he's still talking to you means you haven't completely lost him."

Alison sighed. "It feels like I'm hanging on by a thread."