Act Like You Love Me (Jessica) novel Chapter 193

Chapter 193

Daphne’s pov

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David entered the room just as I was reaching for the door. He looked impeccable in a dark navy suit, his presence immediately dominating the space.

He looked at me, his brow furrowing.

“What’s happening, Daphne?”

He sounded normal. Too normal. As if last night never happened

‘He doesn’t owe you an explanation. My subconscious snapped at me.

“Aren’t you staying for breakfast?” Julie asked, her voice soft and genuinely puzzled.

“No, I… I have a lot to get through at the office today. Early start, lied, my voice sounding high and brittle. “Goodbye. See you at the office.”

I fled. I didn’t look back to see if he was following me or if he was already turning his attention to Julie.

I practically tumbled out the front door into the cool morning air.

A sleek black car was already idling in the driveway. A man stepped out, offering a polite tip of his hat.

“Good morning, Miss. I’m Paul. Mr. Tyrone’ asked me to ensure you made it to the office safely.”

My pride screamed at me to decline, to walk until my feet bled rather than accept a ride arranged by the man who had just broken my heart without even knowing it.

But his estate was miles from the city center, and I had no idea how the bus routes worked out here.

“Thank you, Paul,” I said, sliding into the back seat.

The city rolled past the window as we drove. Tall buildings, morning traffic, people hurrying along sidewalks.

I stared at it all, but my mind kept circling back to one name. Julie.

Who was she? How long had she known David? What exactly had happened last night?

I stopped thinking about it. If I didn’t, I’d spiral.

I pulled out my phone and typed in “Julie David Tyrone.”

Nothing showed up to satisfy my interest.

I tried “David Tyrone girlfriend,” then “David Tyrone mystery woman, even silly ones like “who is Julie to David Tyrone?”

The results were a mess of corporate news, interviews about being the COO of the company and society pages that mentioned his sister, Mika or any other of his family members.

There wasn’t a single mention of a Julie. I tried searching for common surnames, but it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

I grew more frustrated with every “Page Not Found” or irrelevant link to a movie review. Who was she? Why was she so hidden?

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15:44 Wed, Apr 8 MO

Chapter 193

純

Annoyance frizzled in my chest until I locked the screen and shoved the phone away.

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55 vouchers,

I buried myself in the desk, the silence of the executive floor pressing in on me. One hour bled into two, then three, then four.

David still hadn’t shown up. He was a man of rigid schedules; if he planned to skip the day, especially with meetings lined up, there was always a memo, a text, a phone call.

I tried calling him three times, but each call clipped straight to his voicemail.

Each time that automated voice clicked on, the worry sharpened into something jagged.

Was he still at home? Did he take the day off to be with his “personal matter”?

I didn’t realize I was crying until a hot tear splashed onto the back of my hand. I stared at the wet drop, feeling pathetic.

I quickly wiped my eyes, sitting up straight and taking a deep breath just as a soft knock sounded on my door.

Kelly, the HR manager, peeked in. She was a bright woman with a perpetually cheerful expression that usually made me smile. Today, it just felt exhausting.

“Hey, Daphne. Got a minute?”

“Of course.” I gestured to the chair across from me.

She stepped in and closed the door. “Morning. Everything alright? You look a little tired.”

“Just a busy start,” I said, keeping my voice even. “What’s up?”

“I was hoping to catch Mr. Tyrone, but I haven’t seen him yet. Any idea when he’ll be in?”

I shook my head. “I have no idea. He hasn’t called or texted. No heads-up about missing today. I tried reaching him, but it goes to voicemail.”

Kelly nodded, not pressing for more. Good thing.

I certainly wasn’t going to tell her he was likely at home with a woman in his shirt. That would involve admitting I was staying at his house-a complication neither of us needed.

Kelly leaned against the doorframe, her expression turning professional.

“Well, it’s not a huge rush, but Aaron called earlier. The CEO.”

I perked up at the mention of the man at the very top of the food chain.

“He’s looking at some restructuring,” Kelly continued.

“The firm is laying some people off, but they’re also renewing contracts for the top performers. Aaron has officially expanded the China headquarters, and he’s looking for a core team of competent people to move over there and head the new departments. David’s the COO, so Aaron wants to talk strategy with him first.”

I listened, nodding along, but inside my thoughts raced. China. A chance to work directly under Aaron at the main office.

The

pay

with David was solid, but this? This was a different league.

The pay bump would be life-changing. Enough to actually helpois with her brother’s surgery, to sort out my own mess, to feel like I was moving forward instead of treading water.

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40

k

15:44 Wed, Apr 8 M