Afternoon light streamed through the large glass panels of Julian’s company lobby.

Evelyn stood there, dressed in an elegant grey suit, her hands gripping a proposal document she had drafted the night before. She stared at her reflection in the glass wall—a calm face, with eyes that held layers of emotion.

It had been years since she last set foot in this building.

But her steps remained steady.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Evelyn,” said the receptionist stiffly, clearly nervous at the sight of her.

“I’d like to see Julian,” Evelyn replied. “No appointment. Just tell him… it’s about saving something.”

In the tenth-floor meeting room, Julian stood with both hands in...