Strictly Professional

PIPER’S POV

The next morning, I got to work earlier than usual.

Not because I had to. Because I wanted control.

There’s something about arriving before the noise begins that makes everything feel manageable. The hallway lights were still dim when I walked in.

The building smelled faintly of coffee and printer ink. Normal. Grounded. Mine. I set my bag down in my office and immediately began sorting