Whipped

Evelyn used to be a soldier, living for the adrenaline rush and camaraderie. But one day, everything changed. A mission gone wrong left her with a busted knee and a medical discharge. Suddenly, the only uniform she wore was an apron, and her new battlefield was a kitchen.

Opening a bakery wasn't exactly part of her five-year plan, but there was something soothing about kneading dough and watching cakes rise. Plus, the smell of fresh bread beat gunpowder any day of the week.

Enter Simon, looking like he'd just crawled out of a board meeting and into her shop. The guy was a walking cliché of corporate misery - designer suit, permanent frown, and eyes that screamed "I haven't slept since 2015." But damn if he didn't light up like a kid on Christmas morning when he bit into one of her croissants.

Before long, Simon was a regular, swapping his power lunches for Evelyn's sandwiches. They'd chat over coffee, and Evelyn found herself looking forward to his visits. Who knew a guy who used words like "synergy" unironically could be so charming?

But just when things were getting good - we're talking "binge-watching cooking shows together" good - Evelyn stumbled onto something fishy. Turns out, Simon's company had its fingers in some pretty dark pies, including one that hit way too close to home for Evelyn's comfort.