Bella's POV
Jack's understanding response helped ease the tension between us. He didn't press the issue further, choosing instead to shift our conversation toward lighter topics. His calm acceptance stemmed from the fact that my refusal had been justified - I'd been honest about my married status.
The others wouldn't be nearly as gracious about rejection.
Their self-absorbed nature meant they'd fixate entirely on their own circumstances, dwelling on their unhappy marriages without sparing a single thought for my situation. What about my feelings? What about my own marriage and the complications it brought?
Once again, everything revolved around their perspectives, their lives, their choices.
It was perpetually about them.
When they desired me, they pursued me. When they lost interest, they discarded me, completely disregarding my emotions in the process.
The elevator carried me upward, and I watched the floor numbers climb with growing dread.
