I Understand His Regret, So I Replaced Him Too Chapter 06

I Understand His Regret, So I Replaced Him Too Chapter 06

Tristan became my assistant.

He was still a junior. This counted as his first real internship.

“You better work hard. We’ve got high standards here. I won’t cut you any slack or pull any strings just because we know each other.”

Out of the cheap sequined jacket and into a tailored suit, Tristan looked even more like Sullivan.

Sometimes when he briefed me, I’d zone out, and lost in old memories.

So when I found him working late alone another night, I couldn’t help but walk over.

One night, I caught him working late. Alone.

I walked over to his desk and tapped my knuckles against the surface.

Tristan looked up, surprised. “Ms. Vance. You’re still here?”

“So are you.” I raised an eyebrow. “I don’t recall our company having such a heavy overtime culture.”

“I wanted to catch up,” he said, a little embarrassed “Didn’t want to let you down.”

“Don’t push yourself too hard.” I stood up. “Come on. I’ll drive you home.”

He didn’t argue. Shut down his computer. “Thanks, Ms. Vance.”

“How’s your sister doing?”

“Really good. She’s out of the hospital. Just needs rest and regular checkups.” His face softened

as he talked about her.

Most of the time, he was all business.

Only when he mentioned his sister did his guard drop completely.

I glanced at him, then looked away.

We stopped at a red light by a park. Dusk. Amber glow.

Through the windshield, I saw Sullivan with his arm around Daphne. They crossed the crosswalk

slowly.

Going for a walk together.

He was totally focused on her. Didn’t even notice my car.

I rested my elbow on the window frame, propping my chin on my hand as I watched.

It was such a warm, perfect scene, like a picture-perfect little family straight from a poster.

“Ms. Vance? Ms. Vance?” Tristan’s voice pulled me back. “The light’s green.”

The car behind me honked. I snapped back to reality and hit the gas, leaving the scene far behind

When I dropped him off, he hesitated. “Do you want to come up?”

“No.”

“Then wait for me. Five minutes.”

He ran inside before I could answer.

I watched the motion-sensor lights flick on floor by floor.

For fun, I pulled out my phone and started a timer.

Exactly five minutes.

When Tristan came back, he had a thermos.

“You said the company doesn’t encourage overtime, but you’re the worst offender.” He set it on the passenger seat. “I made chicken soup with free-range chicken. Homemade. It’s nutritious and

tastes good.”

“Half is for my sister, and half for you.”

“I don’t have much to repay you, so this is the least can give. It’s nothing fancy, I know.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Drive safe. Text me when you get home?”

He was still too young to mask his feelings as effortlessly as Sullivan did now, all calm and

unreadable.

Every bit of what he felt was written plain as day in his eyes.

I crooked my finger at him.

He looked confused but leaned in anyway.

I reached out and ruffled his hair.

I used to mess with Sullivan’s hair like this all the time. He’d grumble “you can’t touch a man’s head,”

then lean in closer and murmur “do it again.”

I could barely remember how long ago all that had been. It felt like a lifetime away.

“Get some rest. See you tomorrow.”