Chapter 2 - THE WOMAN BENEATH THE DESK
Derek refused to leave immediately.
Instead, he changed tactics.
His voice softened into the gentle tone he used when strangers were listening.
"Emily, sweetheart, I know you're scared."
I squeezed my eyes shut.
"Come on. Let's go home and talk."
Home.
The word made my stomach twist.
Home was where I counted footsteps.
Where I listened for the sound of Derek's car.
Where I checked his expression before deciding whether I was allowed to speak.
Alexander looked toward the desk.
"Emily, can you hear me?"
I nodded before remembering he couldn't see me.
"Yes."
"Would you like the police called?"
I froze.
Derek immediately interrupted.
"Absolutely not."
Alexander ignored him.
"Emily?"
My throat tightened.
For years, Derek had told me that calling the police would ruin his career.
That nobody would believe me.
That I would lose everything.
I looked at the red marks around my wrist.
Then whispered:
"Yes."
Alexander turned toward his security chief.
"Daniel, call them."
Derek's expression changed.
"You can't be serious."
Alexander stood.
"She answered."
Derek took another step.
"I know my wife better than you do."
Alexander's voice remained controlled.
"Then you should have recognized when she was afraid."
Silence.
Derek looked toward the desk.
For a terrifying moment, I thought he might try to reach beneath it.
Instead, he smiled.
A familiar smile.
The one that always came before punishment.
"Emily, you're going to regret embarrassing me."
Alexander's expression hardened.
"That's enough."
Daniel moved toward the door.
"Mr. Carter, outside."
Derek hesitated.
Then turned.
But before leaving, he looked back.
"This isn't over."
The door closed.
I remained beneath the desk.
My body refused to move.
Alexander crouched several feet away.
He didn't reach for me.
"He's gone."
I stared at the floor.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
I swallowed.
"He's going to come back."
Alexander was quiet.
Then said:
"Not into this room."
I slowly crawled out.
My knees hurt.
My dress was wrinkled.
One foot was bare.
I felt ridiculous.
Humiliated.
Like a child who had hidden during a thunderstorm.
Alexander stood and stepped aside, giving me room.
"Would you like to sit?"
I nodded.
He pulled a chair toward me.
Then placed a glass of water on the table.
I stared at it.
"Why are you helping me?"
He looked surprised.
"Because you asked."
I shook my head.
"People don't usually help just because someone asks."
Something changed in his expression.
May you like
For a moment, the powerful man disappeared.
And I saw someone who understood that sentence far too well.
