Chapter 28: Worse Than Death

Lucy’s POV

The elevator doors opened with a soft ding, and I stepped out…box in hand, heart barely holding together. I just wanted to get to the exit, to breathe, to disappear under my duvet for weeks.

But I barely made it three steps before three women moved right into my path.

Clara from the accounting department. Jenna from HR. Sophie from the legal department.

The office trio. Always together. Always loud. Always cruel when they saw weakness.

Clara smirked. “Oops,” she said, fake surprise dripping from her tone. “Didn’t see anyone there.”

Jenna chuckled, her eyes sweeping over me and my box of things. “Oh, my bad. Guess we didn’t notice the celebrity of the week.”

The others laughed. Loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

I tried to step aside. “Can you move out of the way now? Please?”

Sophie leaned closer, her perfume choking me. “Relax, Lucy. We’re just saying hi. No need to be so…defensive.”

I clutched the box tighter. “I just want to go home.”

Clara tilted her head, her smile venomous. “Good idea. Maybe your next job will appreciate your extra juicy talents.”

They laughed again, cruel and sharp.

“Good thing my boyfriend doesn’t like chubby girls,” Jenna said loudly. “I’d have to start worrying about her trying to seduce him too.”

My chest tightened while my hands trembled.

Sophie gasped, pretending to remember something. “Wait, didn’t she ask you about your boyfriend during that team bonding thing we had two weeks ago?”

Jenna snapped her fingers. “Oh my God, yes! She did! You think she wanted him too? Guess she was just testing the waters.”

“Probably,” Clara sneered. “I mean, she already went for a married man. What’s next? Someone’s dad?”

I felt myself recoil, like I wanted to disappear into the ground. I only asked about him because she’d told everyone he’d had an accident. I thought showing concern would make her notice me, make them see that I cared…and maybe, finally, stop treating me like I didn’t belong.

Turns out, that move backfired in the worst way. Their laughter echoed in the hallway. Heads turned. People whispered. I could feel dozens of eyes on me.

“Stop it,” I said softly. “Please.”

Sophie crossed her arms, smirking. “Why should we care? You brought this on yourself. I saw those videos, Lucy. Those… thirsty pictures. Bet Joe, the security guy, is jerking off to them right now, moaning your name in his little rundown crib,” she sneered, and the others erupted, laughing like hyenas.

I froze. My stomach dropped as tears began pooling.

She went on, voice full of fake pity. “You looked so innocent at work. Who knew you could pose like that? Are you sure you’re not moonlighting in a strip club or one of those cheap hotels downtown?”

The laughter hit again, louder, meaner.

“Stop it!” I yelled, tears burning my eyes. “I’m also a woman like you! Why are you treating me like I’m nothing?”

Clara took a step closer, her tone cold and sharp. “Because you are nothing. You’re just a cheap slut who slept with another woman’s husband. What kind of woman does that to another?”

“I didn’t sleep with him!” I cried. “And I didn’t know he was married! He lied to me! You don’t know what really happened! Please stop saying things you don’t know!”

“Sure,” Jenna mocked. “That’s what they all say.”

The laughter stung more than any slap could.

The box slipped from my hands, crashing to the floor. My things spilled everywhere…photos, pens, files, a small picture frame shattered. I fell to my knees, trying to pick them up with shaking hands, tears blurring my sight.

“Look at her,” Sophie muttered. “Pathetic bitch.”

Something inside me broke.

The pain, the shame, the humiliation…it all crashed into rage.

I didn’t think.

I just saw red.

I saw the scissors on the floor, from my stationery set that had fallen out of the box.

My hand moved before my mind could stop it.

I grabbed it and screamed…an animal sound, raw and desperate…and lunged at Clara.

“YOU DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ME, SO SHUT THE FUCK UP!”

Gasps filled the hallway. Someone screamed.

Before the blade could touch her, a strong arm wrapped around my waist and yanked me backward, hard.

“Lucy!” a familiar voice shouted.

I thrashed, screaming, sobbing, still clutching the scissors as he pinned my arms. “Let me go! I didn’t do anything wrong! I’m innocent! I’m the victim here!”

“Lucy, stop!” he said firmly, his grip tightening around me.

The hallway had gone silent except for my cries. People stared…eyes wide, phones out, some whispering, some backing away.

“She’s lost it,” someone muttered.

“Crazy bitch…” another whispered.

“How can a home wrecker like her call herself a victim?”

Their words sliced through me in ways I can’t even begin to describe. It felt like I died on that spot and was resurrected, only to be cut open again.

I dropped the scissors and sank against the man holding me. My body shook violently as tears soaked my face.

“Enough!” the man barked. His voice was commanding…authoritative. “If anyone says another word, I’ll have them arrested for defamation and harassment.”

The crowd fell silent instantly.

That’s when I realized who it was.

Officer Ethan.

He glared at the onlookers until they began to disperse, muttering things under their breath. One of them snorted and said, “Maybe she seduced the officer too, look at him holding her fondly.”

“Someone should better call his wife or something,” another person added and the others laughed, then hurried off.

The hallway emptied slowly, leaving only me and Ethan.

He turned me toward him gently, his eyes scanning my face and body. “Are you hurt?”

I pushed him away, breathing hard, my voice breaking. “Don’t touch me! Just…don’t!”

“Lucy—”

“You knew,” I snapped, pointing at him, my tears streaming uncontrollably. “You knew about the video and pictures circulating online. That’s why you came to my place this morning. Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you warn me?” My voice cracked into a sob. “Why did you let me walk in here, thinking everything was fine, only to be humiliated like this?”

“Lucy, listen—”

“Don’t!” I screamed, clutching my head. “Don’t say anything!”

Before he could reach me again, I turned and ran.

I didn’t know where I was going.

I didn’t care.

All I knew was that I needed to get away.

From this building.

From the whispers.

From this mess.

From everyone.

I needed to end this.

And what better way…than to end myself?