Taming the Storm (Edited Version)

Chapter 27 Part 2: The Truth Among the Lies

Part 2: The Truth Among the Lies

Just as Mira reached for her coffee, the break room door banged open.

Kelly. Josh followed closely behind her.

"You're being ridiculous," she snapped, her heels clacking sharply across the tile.

Josh's voice was low but sharp. "I'm asking a simple question. Who sent them?"

"I already told you—I don't know!"

That was the first time Mira noticed the bouquet—roses, pink and blushing—sitting forgotten on the corner counter, a card still tucked inside. They were addressed to Kelly. That was all that was written. Mira's gaze flicked to it, then back to the scene unraveling in front of her.

"I'm just trying to look out for you," Josh said, words clipped.

Kelly spun on him. "That's all I ever get from you. Protection. Concern. Like I'm some fragile intern you have to babysit."

Josh flinched. "That's not fair."

Her voice cracked then—just slightly. "You think I don't know what this is? You think I don't see it?"

Josh stared at her, bewildered. "See what?"

"How I'll always be the girl you feel responsible for. Someone to protect. Not someone to... want."

He blinked.

And then—without warning—she kissed him.

Fierce. Furious. Barely breathing.

It wasn't delicate. It wasn't planned. It just was—as if it had been threatening to happen for months and finally lost patience.

Josh didn't move.

For a beat too long, he just... stood there.

Kelly pulled back first. Her eyes widened, wounded. "I thought... maybe," she whispered. "Forget it."

And then she turned—and ran.

Josh didn't hesitate. "Kel—wait!" he called, chasing after her.

The door slammed shut behind them.

Mira blinked, turning back toward Ash—who hadn't moved.

"You think they—" Mira started.

"Nope."

They looked at each other for a long moment. Then Mira picked up her coffee, took a sip, and said dryly, "Elise."

Ash nodded in agreement. "Definitely Elise."

The silence in the break room returned like a curtain falling after a chaotic play.

Ash remained quiet beside her, but somehow, Mira didn't feel him there. And she welcomed that kind of presence. No explanations needed, no judgment.

Mira wiped at her cheek, eyes still red-rimmed, then stared into her cup.

Ash finally picked up his phone again. Tapped out a message.

Ash: I know what you're doing.

A moment passed.

Then her reply buzzed in.

Elise: Yeah, sleeping until you texted. Rude.

He exhaled. A side of his lip pulled up gently, barely.

Typical.

But his smile didn't last. He leaned back in his chair, phone still in his hand, and let his thoughts settle—on her.