ace in every possible way. The pristine marble floors beneath my heels seemed to amplify my hesitance with every step I took. He didn't glance back, didn't so much as check to see if I was still b

o's hand lingered on the polished brass handle for a brief moment, his posture unreadable, before he

k desk dominated the space, its surface littered with a chaotic mix of files and papers that somehow seemed meticulously placed. Beyond t

e moved around to the high-backed chair behind the desk.

deliberate as I approached the chair he had indicated. The leather cushion was cold beneath me as I perched cautiously on the edg

as though he could see through every fragile layer of the composure I had managed to muster. "You've been here less

his head, the barest hint of amusement flickering across his fe

answer, but the truth was, I didn't have one. "I don't

nest." He shifted his focus to one of the open files on his desk, flipping through

quiet broken only by the faint rustle of paper as he turned another page. Finally, Loren

bsorbed every word. "I didn't bring you into my world to stand in the background and fade in

ctations settling heavily on my shoulders. "What do you

ong the wall. My eyes followed him as he opened it and pulled out a decanter of amber liquid. He

glass down on the desk with a deliberate motion, then walked toward me, his presence towering and unyielding. Stopping a

gling to process the abrupt shift in conversation. "W

e. He let the words hang in the air for a moment before continuing, "And because it's time you understood the role you'll play. You'll stand b

inking in. "I don't belong there," I admitted, the wo

t. But you will." He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Co

no middle ground, no room for hesitation or failure. My throat tightened, but I forced myself

ting, before finally stepping back. "A car will pick you up in an h

ocus shifting to the files once again. I stood slowly, my legs unsteady as I turned t

ai

pounding as I turn

s something in his eyes, something I couldn't quite place. "Don'

corridor, the quiet hum of the building pressing in around me. I couldn't shake the feeling tha

or swim. Those were my only options. Failure wasn't an option, and yet the fear of it loomed large, a sh

't belong and pretend like I did. My reflection stared back at me from the mirror,