At first they talked shop while I sorted mail nearby.

She asked about decision-making in a complicated surgical case.

Callum described how he used to weigh risks and invite opinions when the right answer wasn’t obvious.

He emphasized checking assumptions, particularly when a colleague hesitated to speak.

Then Aisha closed the folder.

“Can I ask something personal?”

He nodded.

“When you realized you couldn’t keep working, did you think everyone would be disappointed in you?”