Chapter 5

At exactly ten, the conference room door opened.

Edward walked in first, and for a moment, I barely recognized him.

We had seen each other only the day before, yet dark stubble already covered his jaw. His eyes were bloodshot, and his tie hung loose around his neck, as though he hadn't slept all night.

Michael, by contrast, looked perfectly composed behind him, carrying a briefcase and wearing the polished smile of someone who had spent years handling other people's disasters.

Edward stopped for half a second when he saw me.

I knew what he was looking at.

I wore…