Her profile was gone. Her account wasn’t found.

Zara’s breath hitched. Ethan was still on the phone.

“Z, listen, I think you need to take a step back. You’re obviously stressed”

She couldn’t hear the rest of what he was saying, because at that moment, her inbox refreshed.

A new message. Subject: Your New Role at Harrington Wolfe & Co.

From HR.

Why would HR be writing to her about a new position?

Zara’s stomach flipped as she clicked it open. Her eyes scanned the first line.

“Dear Caldwell, welcome to your new position at Harrington Wolfe & Co. We are thrilled to have you as part of our team.”

Zara dropped the phone.

She wasn’t just losing her identity. Nia was taking it.

The next morning, Zara stormed into Harrington Wolfe’s headquarters, adrenaline pumping. The receptionist glanced up, startled.

“Oh, hi…we weren’t expecting you.”

“I need to see Julian. Now.”

“He’s in a meeting…”

“I don’t care. Tell him it’s urgent.”

The receptionist frowned at her screen. “I don’t have you on the schedule. Are you sure” She stopped. Clicked a few times. “Your employee profile is missing. Maybe there was an IT error.”

Zara’s patience snapped.

“I work here. You know me.”

The receptionist’s expression shifted. Uncertain. Uncomfortable.

Zara turned and headed straight for Julian’s office. When she pushed open the door, Nia was already there, seated across from Julian, smiling, looking perfectly at home.

Julian looked up. ‘Zara, what are you’

But Zara wasn’t looking at him. She was looking straight at Nia.

Nia held her gaze. Calm. Amused. Triumphant.

“Zara,” Nia said smoothly, tilting her head. “Is everything okay?” She gestured to the empty seat beside her. “Sit down. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

~ ~ ~