“Why… why must there always be one issue or the other when you two meet?” Donald asked, his voice heavy with exhaustion and long-standing disappointment. He stood tall in the hallway outside the boardroom, hands behind his back, casting glances between Aaron and Elise. His words weren’t directed at anyone in particular—more like a question he’d asked himself countless times

“There’s no issue here, darling,” Elise said, her voice dripping with innocence as she took a step closer to him. “I was just giving Aaron some good advice. Advice I’m sure he’ll take seriously,” she added with a sly smile, reaching forward to gently run her finger along Donald’s beard....