Page 64 of Boards & Betrayal

"My phone's been dead since yesterday," I said. "Why?"

He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "Ally, I'm sorry, but you're fired."

"Wait, what?" My stomach dropped. This had to be some kind of joke.

"You're fired," he repeated, avoiding my gaze.

"Why?" The word felt like a punch to the gut as it left my lips.

Carl fumbled with his papers, eyes darting everywhere but at me. "Uh... well... it's... budget cuts."

"Budget cuts?" I echoed, disbelief coloring my tone. "You can’t be serious."

"It's not personal," he stammered. "It's just... we have to make some changes."

I stared at him, trying to process what he was saying. "Carl, come on. We both know that’s bullshit. What’s really going on?"

His face flushed red as he struggled for words. "It's... look, it's just... complicated."

"Complicated?" I snapped. "Or convenient? Did someone get to you? Was it Nick or Janet?"

Carl’s eyes widened slightly before he quickly looked away again. The hesitation was all the confirmation I needed.

"This is because of them, isn’t it?" My voice wavered with a mix of anger and betrayal.

He shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "Ally..."

I cut him off. "Save it. Just be honest with me for once."

Carl finally met my gaze, but didn’t say anything more. His silence spoke volumes.

"Unbelievable," I muttered under my breath before turning on my heel and walking out of the studio. "We both know I'm the best photographer this studio ever had. You're going to regret this, you know. I can't believe you would listen to him. What did he get you? Huh? Can you tell me that much?"

Carl muttered something as I stormed toward the door. "The studio gets to do the official NHL photos."

I stopped in my tracks, spinning around to face him. "You seriously think Nick can pull that off?" My voice drippedwith incredulity. "He's a young kid with maybe twenty points all season. His team didn’t even make the playoffs. You're delusional, Carl. That won't happen."

He didn’t respond, just looked down at his papers again, pretending to be engrossed in something other than the mess he’d just created. Shaking my head, I turned back and walked out of the studio; the door closing behind me with a finality that felt like a slap.

My hands trembled as I fumbled for my keys. Anger bubbled up inside me. How could Carl do this? How could he let Nick and Janet manipulate him? The injustice of it all made my blood boil.

Once in my car, I slammed the door shut and took a moment to steady my breathing. It didn’t help much. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing the anger coursing through my veins.

I had no idea what to do next. My job had been my lifeline, the one thing grounding me amidst all the chaos. And now that was gone, too.

There was only one place I could go where I might find some semblance of peace: home.

I started the car and drove, the familiar streets blurring as hot tears threatened to spill over. The weight of everything pressed down on me, and now this.

By the time I reached home, my body felt heavy with exhaustion. I parked and walked up to my apartment, each step feeling like it took monumental effort.

I slipped into my apartment quietly, careful not to make a sound. The door creaked slightly as I closed it behind me, and I winced, holding my breath. Tom was still asleep in the bedroom, and the last thing I wanted was to wake him.

As I walked into the room, my eyes fell on him sprawled across the bed. He looked so peaceful, so different from theintense man I knew. His dark hair was tousled, and his chiseled features were softened in sleep. The rugged handsomeness always took my breath away—strong jawline, broad shoulders—was still there, but muted by the morning light.

I paused at the foot of the bed, taking in the sight of him. His chest rose and fell with each deep breath, the covers tangled around his legs. Even in sleep, he exuded a quiet strength that drew me in.

A part of me wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed beside him and feel his arms around me. To find solace in his embrace, even if just for a moment. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. Not now. Not with everything weighing so heavily on my mind.

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