“Then I’ll handle it.”
That evening, I returned to the Sterling office kitchen.
Alone.
One ceramic mug.
One towel beside the sink.
I turned on the water.
Rinsed the mug.
A faint brown ring remained inside the bottom.
I rubbed it.
Turned the mug.
Rubbed again.
No one stood behind me.
No Julian scrolling through a phone.
No Evelyn inspecting silverware.
No Chloe filming.
No Victoria waiting in a dress near the foyer.
I dried the rim.
Set the mug upside down.