different wi

ic or the relentless hum of business but in the quiet moments between. The pause

gone back

elt wrong, like visiting a place that no longer existed. Instead, Carl buri

on," Carl said abr

sitated. "Sir, t

Carl replied

eady reaching

decided on some

ad broken-but not with money, not wit

d do it

ighboring city with a sin

ong moment, overwhelmed by the weight of starting over. No job. No apartmen

and paid for two nights in cash. The room was pla

ght, sh

to the pillow, mourning something she hadn't r

tration, the way he listened when it mattere

mises, she rem

ng up other people's messes

ng, Marilyn wa

t she'd left behind. Finally, she stopped at a modest corner café

est ti

r fifties with flour on her apr

out the sign?"

wed. "Yes. I h

ay?" the w

nodded.

amiliar. Comfo

me in days, Mari

d, Carl did something that sent s

ed from t

ny. Not his p

bo

s's b

e. The same board that made quiet deals, app

ncy meeting and made

head of the table. "Effective immediately, external influence in

rs er

ard. "You can't do

is gaze. "

ower inside the company had been reduce

lic. Legal

call his fat

us would hea

l drove to Marily

as empty. But when he knocked, t

," the man said. "Di

tightened.

The offer. From your fa

odded

he said, an

dn't t

ed more tha

her shift at the new café and stepp

ril

fr

to turn around t

y, sh

hed composure. Just him tired, serious, eyes searching h

be here," she

But I couldn't prove an

nded. "Did yo

asked Lena. She wa

ay. "You don't ge

in. "That's why I did

out a

dn't t

Another chequ

e calls. The pressure. The money. And the legal steps I've t

he folder, hands shaking slig

eath c

't damage

account

ave to do thi

eplied softly

g with unshed tears. "And what ha

s," Carl said.

retched be

n said. "And you broke that tr

That's why I'm not ask

ed. "Then what

e chance to stand beside you

ied him for

different,

use losing you hurt more th

haled

back," Marilyn

said. "I'll meet you wher

ce undid her more than g

angry," s

shoul

till s

am

r laugh soft

finally. "Let me wo

'll be here. Wh

Marilyn pressed the

eaving, she didn't feel li

ike she wa

nd hope, something fragile b