The next few days were a blur for Rachel. She was consumed with worry about Marcus and the mess they had gotten themselves into. She tried to focus on work, but her mind kept straying back to the secret she was keeping with Marcus.
At night, she would lie awake in bed and wonder how things would play out. Would Marcus really leave Emma for her? And if he did, what would happen to their careers? Would they be ostracized from the company, or would they be able to weather the storm together?
On the fourth day, Rachel's worst fears were realized. She arrived at the office to find Emma waiting for her, her face pinched with anger.
"How long?" Emma demanded, her voice sharp.
"How long what?" Rachel asked, her heart racing.
"How long have you and Marcus been having an affair?" Emma spat.
Rachel felt her stomach churn. All her worst fears had come true. They had been caught, and everything was about to come crashing down.
"We're not having an affair," Rachel said, her voice shaking. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't lie to me," Emma said, her eyes narrowing. "I've seen the way you two look at each other. And Ethan told me everything."
Rachel felt like the ground was falling out from under her. Ethan had betrayed them, had spread their secret to the one person they were trying to keep it from.
"I'm sorry," Rachel said, feeling tears starting to fall. "I never meant for this to happen."
Emma's expression softened for a moment. "I know you didn't," she said. "But that doesn't change the fact that you've been carrying on behind my back."
Rachel had no response. She knew Emma was right. They had been lying and scheming, and they deserved to be punished.
"I'm going to need you to pack up your things and leave," Emma said, her voice cold. "And as for Marcus, he and I will be having a long talk about his loyalty to this company."
Rachel nodded, unable to speak. She gathered her things, feeling like a criminal as she walked out of the office for the last time.
As she drove home, Rachel felt a deep sense of shame wash over her. She knew that what she had done was wrong, and she deserved to be punished. But even as she wallowed in her guilt, she couldn't help feeling a small spark of hope.
Maybe, just maybe, Marcus would leave Emma for her. Maybe they could still be together, even if it meant starting over somewhere else. She knew it was a long shot, but she couldn't help hoping.
As she pulled into her driveway, Rachel's phone buzzed with a text from Marcus.
"I'm so sorry," it read. "This is all my fault."
Rachel knew that he was right. They had made a huge mistake, one that would haunt them for a long time. But even as she read the message, she couldn't help feeling a glimmer of hope.
They had been caught, but maybe they could still find a way to be together.
