Her back hadn't healed, so every now and then, she had to subtly lean against the lab counter to take the weight off and rest.
Rina edged closer. "Raelynn, is your blood sugar low?"
Raelynn was just about to shake her head.
A voice rang out from the doorway. "Everyone, work is important, but so is your health. Mr. Croix knows you've all been working hard today and specifically ordered fresh fruit and lunch for everyone."
A chorus of exaggerated gratitude filled the room.
"We'd never get this kind of treatment normally. It's only because Alumna Vance is here. Mr. Croix isn't worried about us, he just didn't want his girl going hungry."
"Individual meals from The King's Kitchen? Oh my god, they're so expensive and impossible to book. One box costs three days of my salary! Mr. Croix is so generous."
Seraphina offered a slightly bashful chuckle. "Seb is just overly cautious because I pulled an all-nighter last time and my blood sugar dropped. Everyone, take a break and eat. No need to thank me."
Rina couldn't help but look at Raelynn. "Raelynn, why don't you go grab something to eat?"
Raelynn wasn't actually hungry. Watching Seraphina gracefully hand out the food, she pulled her mask back up. "I'm fine. Go grab yours. Eat two portions and bleed Mr. Croix's wallet a little more."
Rina still looked worried.
But what Raelynn really wanted was just to sit down and stretch her throbbing lower back.
The moment she settled into a chair.
She heard the crowd surrounding Seraphina murmuring with absolute envy. "Alumna Vance, is Mr. Croix going to make an appearance in the documentary? By the time it airs, everyone watching will realize you two are a couple."
Hearing that, Seraphina bit her lip and smiled. "If he isn't too busy, he might come."
She remembered what Leo had said. If she and Sebastian appeared on camera together, even the slightest hint of intimacy would make their relationship painfully obvious to the entire world.
After all, outside of designated breaks, the cameras were always rolling.
"Mr. Croix is so good to you. He answers your every call and is even willing to make it official on TV. I am so jealous."
"Alumna Vance, since he's so devoted, are you two tying the knot soon?"
Raelynn didn't even bat an eyelash.
Her brain was calculating at hyperspeed, trying to figure out why Seraphina's chemical synthesis was constantly failing to bond.
Catching a glimpse of Raelynn out of the corner of her eye, Seraphina smiled coyly. "When there's good news, we'll let everyone know."
A collective wave of "Oh, we totally get it" laughter rippled through the room.
That response actually made Raelynn pause.
They were already... planning it?
The second the divorce papers were finalized, they were rushing to the altar?
The silent filming resumed.
Raelynn navigated through the different lab stations.
The high-intensity pace had taken a toll all day, and her back injury was severe. As she stepped into the next lab, a sudden, blinding spasm of agony ripped through her lower spine. Her legs gave out, and she flailed blindly, trying to grab onto anything to keep herself upright.
Suddenly.
An arm hooked around her waist, pulling her smoothly against a solid chest.
Another hand came up, resting firmly against her upper back. The arm around her waist tightened, forcing her to lean all her dead weight onto his frame. She was locked in a tight, inescapable embrace, chest to chest.
Raelynn jerked her head up.
Her eyes collided with thick lashes and deep, striking dark eyes.
Raelynn froze, not even having time to furrow her brow.
Over a dozen pairs of eyes in the lab whipped toward them simultaneously.
Shock, disbelief, absolute horror—and then inevitably, eyes darting toward Seraphina standing nearby.
Finally, someone couldn't hold back their utter bewilderment and gasped, "Mr. Croix... why are you holding Raelynn?"

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding
I think for as slow as the beginning was, their turning point is just so fast... really hope we actually get to read about R and S and their rekindle.... we did not read 950 pages for their story to be sidelined. Im for this sideline story, but it if it's to separate from the main characters and their story, please make it separate book....
Author please update more chapters...
I really like Zella, she is becoming a good friend to Raelynn. Ian needs to go. The relationship with Chloe is confusing. Some chapters they are cousins, sometimes they're sibling. A little confusing....
Julians role as big brother- I feel comes from a genuine place, but in a relationship thats is just as stained as Raelynns and Sebastians. It hard for me to connect to his big brother role as he too was such a problem before. And while they talked a little bit, the conversation did not give me the believe there was resolution between Raelynn and Julian. For a brute, he should make his feelings clear about the situation to Raelynn and then step back, until there is more foundation for him to stand on....
Knife in my heart. I hurt for Raelynn. She has made it this far, but how much does she have in her, everyone has a breaking point. Some back of me hopes the author is joking to lighten the mood after so many intense chapters, but thats not this kind of story or couple....
My heart cannot take this. This, cannot be how it ends with these too. They need resolution with each other. Raelynn needs to be more humanize with Sebastian. We know she is hurt, but this is the branch. She needs all these answers, if not for them to be together, then for Lily to have both her parents. Stop with the mind games Raelynn!...
Its like the story is just repeating itself...
Timeline is getting lost for me. So many treasured little memories Raelynn has but yet, he was gone for years ? Anyways... still rooting for them! These two need a heart to heart. Lily "forgetting" someone, not possible in this day and age and I hope thats not their storyline....
Sebastian, the man of few words.... needs to find all the words! Needs to fight for her! On note, seven years seems like a long time for this master plan (which I am sure goes back much farther). Rereading this novel, and it seems like everything has played out in a 5-8 month time span. And I feel like all Sebastian's doings/ plan have not been revealed. I hope we get to see the whole picture and have the resolutions we hope. But seven years of mistreatment, I just don't see Raelynn fully coming back. If these was 2-3 years, maybe, and I know it changes some characters around, but it would still work. Rooting for them!...
Literally on edge!...