She checked his figures and discovered he was right.

They corrected the spreadsheet together, argued about lunch options, and went back to work.

No one shouted.

No one threatened her with losing her job.

No one insisted that disagreement proved she was disloyal.

That simple exchange stayed with her longer than she expected.

At home with Lena, she began cooking again.

On the first Friday she made lentil soup, badly oversalted it, and laughed when Lena reached for a second glass of water.