“This report has to be processed immediately, Markus. I don’t care how you do it, as long as we can still breathe next month.”

Adrian’s voice was firm, though his eyes were bloodshot and his face pale. He sat behind his desk, piles of documents scattered, hurried signatures covering every sheet.

Markus studied him carefully. “You really want to go through with this without Rosemary?”

Adrian lifted his head, his jaw tightening. “Yes. If she doesn’t want to come back, then I have to move forward alone. I can’t keep hoping for someone who has already made it clear she wants nothing to do with me.”

Markus sighed, then placed...