Chapter 105

"Design whatever you see fit."

There was no hint of emotion in his voice or eyes as he stood abruptly. But as he walked out of the room, his steps were heavy, as if he had just lost something precious. Emily watched him go, her smile fading as the door clicked shut behind him.

"Can you get me a cup of strong coffee?" Emily asked Liam, her voice calm but tinged with weariness. Liam nodded, gathering the half-finished cup and the untouched one from her desk without a word. He didn’t need her to explain; just by looking at her, he knew she needed time alone.

As the door closed, Emily leaned back in her chair and shut her eyes, retreating into the confines of her mind.

She wasn’t trying to ignore the storm brewing inside her—it was impossible—but she needed to ground herself. When Nicholas had walked into her office earlier, she hadn’t even attempted to pretend she didn’t recognize him.