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I turned away as she disappeared through the side exit.

Boxes of inventory covered the floor, forcing me to navigate a waist-high maze to reach Shane’s office. I knocked on the door frame and stepped inside, placing the money pouch on his desk.

“Good work today,” he said, straightening in his chair.

“Come again?”

“What? I can’t compliment my employee?”

After the way he reamed me out earlier? I didn’t understand him—not that I wanted to. He always ran hot and cold like this.

“Listen. About earlier…”

“It won’t happen again.” I cleared my throat, not wanting another long conversation.

“Let me finish,” he said, voice softening. “I came on a little strong.” He stood, circled his desk, and leaned a hip against the side. “I want you to know I’m not upset with you.”

“Message received.”

He lifted a strand of my long black hair between his fingers. My brows furrowed. He’d never touched me like that before, and I didn’t like it one bit.

“Don’t be like that. I only speak with you that way because I know you’re capable of more than the others. You’re better than they are. I want you to reach your full potential.” He slid his fingers down the ombré ends of my hair. My stomach churned. “Understand?”

I fixed him with a hard stare and stepped back, causing my hair to slip from his fingers. “Yes, sir. I understand what you’re saying. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Mr. Chasteen.”

“Raelynn, call me Shane.”

“I think that won’t work for me anymore. I’d like to keep our interactions professional only. If that’s a problem, I’ll seek employment elsewhere. Have a good evening, sir.”

I turned before he could stop me and rushed from the office to clock out.

It wasn’t the first time he’d invaded my space, but never like this. I’d never given him any sign I was receptive to his interest in me, so the escalation unnerved me. If he continued after tonight, I’d have to contact Diane.

As if my day couldn’t get any worse, the girl at Sweet Confections dropped Mrs. Stevenson’s cake I’d promised to pick up, and I missed the bus waiting for a replacement. I didn’t get mad—accidents happened—but the timing made me groan. The universe seemed determined to test my patience.

I didn’t want to face the raging storm outside yet, so I sat on the bench near the exit and waited for the next bus.

Heavy rain pelted the roof, echoing through the emptying corridors. Sheets of water slid over the large glass windows overhead, making it impossible to see outside. I hoped it didn’t flood.

Thunder rumbled, and a loud crack split the air before the entire mall plunged into darkness.

I sighed, pulling my phone from my purse to check the time. The generators would kick on soon, so I saw no reason to panic like the other shoppers down the corridor, chattering after a few startled screams.

Tucking my phone into my purse, I sat back. Shane’s earlier words replayed in my mind.

Men like Shane served as a reminder of why I stopped dating. I’d never had much luck finding someone decent—or at least someone who I didn’t have to work with when the madness surfaced.

I wasn’t interested in a long-term relationship anyway, not when I couldn’t promise the kind of future men around here wanted.

Marriage, a farmhouse with a white picket fence, and kids weren’t something I could offer. Not something I would offer. I wouldn’t risk passing on whatever curse afflicted the women in my family to an innocent child.

I’d been an innocent child once, and the things I saw kept me awake many nights. I wouldn’t pass those terrors on.

I gripped the purse on my lap.

The generational curse would end with me.

I knew I’d follow the path of Grandma—the same path Mom would’ve taken if she’d lived. The only difference? I’d make sure the poison infecting my family’s minds died with me.