That night felt different from the moment Mrs. Grace told me, “Mr. Romano wants to see you.”Her voice was calm, but my stomach twisted itself into a nervous knot. I wiped my hands on my apron as I walked down the hallway, trying not to overthink. But my brain did what brains do—it created a thousand possible reasons he could be calling me.

Maybe he wanted to complain about something.Maybe I did something wrong.Maybe… I didn’t even know.

When I reached his door, I paused for a second just to breathe. Then I knocked softly.

“Come in,” he said, voice deep and steady.

I pushed the door open, and the...