Ashton stepped back like he'd touched fire, retreating to the far side of his desk. His jaw clenched as he reached for the car keys and phone, the cool metal grounding him as he fought to steady his breath.
The silence between them was heavy—thick enough to slice with a knife. And yet, he couldn't bring himself to meet Danelle's eyes for more than a fleeting second.
"I'll be in the car," he said abruptly, voice low but firm. Without another glance, he turned and strode out of the office, the door closing behind him with a soft click that somehow felt final.
Left alone, Danelle stood frozen. Her heart pounded in her chest like a warning drum. She pressed a hand against it, inhaling sharply.
"What the hell just happened?" she whispered into the empty office, her brows drawing together in confusion and fury.
He hadn't even apologized.
