At four o’clock, my phone finally buzzed on the desk.

It was a text message from an unknown number.

I opened it.

*I told her no.*

My heart leaped into my throat.

A second text followed immediately.

*I’m outside your building.*

I stood up so fast my chair rolled backward into the filing cabinet.

I ran out of my office, past a startled Priya, and headed straight for the elevators.

The lobby downstairs was bright and modern, with giant glass windows facing the courtyard.

Through the glass, I saw Derek.

He was standing near the concrete fountain, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.

He wasn’t wearing his designer jacket anymore.

He was wearing a simple grey hoodie and jeans, looking battered but resolved.

I pushed open the heavy glass doors of the lobby and walked out into the cool air.

“Derek,” I said.

He turned to face me.

His eyes were red, and he had a small cut near his collarbone, as if he had torn his shirt off in a hurry.

“I did it,” he said, his voice raw.

“What happened?” I asked.