Two Sides of Us

Chapter 11. Emily

I sat at my desk, trying to block out the relentless buzz of office chatter that clung to me like a cloud of gnats. The energy in the office, once something I thrived on, now felt oppressive. Every day was a minefield, littered with potential explosions of gossip about Andrew, Rachel, and, inevitably, me.

My eyes stayed glued to the screen as I scrolled through job listings. I needed a way out of this toxic environment—a place where I wouldn't be haunted by reminders of what could have been, or what never was. The job market wasn't exactly promising, but anything seemed better than staying here.

I glanced up through the glass wall that separated my desk from Andrew's office. He was there, as usual, but he never looked my way anymore. It was like we had silently agreed to avoid each other, to pretend nothing had happened. But why? Why was he so distant now? Was it because of Rachel, the baby, or something else?

The gossip in the office had only intensified since Rachel's big announcement. Everyone knew Andrew had run after me when Rachel dropped the bombshell about her pregnancy. I could feel their eyes on me, could hear the whispers whenever I walked by. And then there was the matter of my missing ring. The absence of that small piece of metal seemed to scream at everyone who glanced my way. I had worn that ring out of habit for the past two years, and now all that remained was a pale band of skin, a constant reminder of what I was trying to leave behind. I should retrieve the ring from under the dresser, but the thought made my stomach twist.

A sudden knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts, and I looked up, expecting Zoe with some new piece of office drama. Instead, my breath caught in my throat.

Standing in the doorway was a tall man with a shaved head, his presence both commanding and comforting. He was dressed casually, a military-style brown bag slung over his shoulder. His wide smile broke through the tension that had been coiled inside me for days, and when our eyes met, recognition washed over me like a wave.

"Jake?" I whispered, disbelief coloring my voice.

The smile on his face widened, and before I knew it, I was out of my chair and rushing toward him. I threw myself into his arms, hugging him tightly. The familiar scent of his aftershave—something woody and earthy—wrapped around me, filling me with a warmth I hadn't felt in what seemed like forever.

"Jake!" I exclaimed, my voice muffled against his chest. I clung to him, not wanting to let go. "I can't believe you're here!"

Jake chuckled, a deep, rich sound that vibrated through his chest. "Well, believe it, sis. I'm here in the flesh."

I pulled back just enough to look up at him, scanning his face as if to make sure he was really standing there in front of me. "But what are you doing here? I thought you were still overseas."

"I was," Jake nodded, his tone casual. "But I managed to get some leave, and I figured it was about time I paid my little sister a visit. Thought you could use some company."

I blinked rapidly, trying to process his words. "You just... came all this way to see me?"

"Of course," Jake replied, his expression softening. "Emily, you've been through a lot, and I could hear it in your voice every time we talked. I knew something was up. So I decided to come check on you, make sure you're doing okay."

My heart swelled with gratitude and love for my brother, emotions I had been keeping at bay finally breaking through. "I've missed you so much," I confessed, my voice trembling slightly.

Jake's hand came up to cup the back of my head, his touch gentle. "I've missed you too, Em. It's been too long."

For a moment, we just stood there in the middle of my office, holding onto each other as if the rest of the world had fallen away. The tension that had been knotting my muscles slowly began to unwind, replaced by a sense of safety and security that only Jake could provide.