The sharp scent of coffee hung in the air as the golden morning light poured into Julian’s study. The usual chaos of documents, contracts, and legal files had been replaced with a single sheet of blank paper. Julian sat before it, pen in hand, staring at the emptiness as if it were taunting him.
Madeline appeared in the doorway, her silhouette framed by the sunlight. She was casual but radiant, holding a steaming cup in her hand. “If looks could kill, that paper wouldn’t stand a chance,” she teased.
Julian glanced up, smirking despite himself. “What can I say? Old habits die hard.”
She walked in and placed the coffee beside him, leaning on the edge of the desk. “You’ve spent years plotting destruction. Maybe your mind’s struggling to switch gears to something... constructive?”
He chuck
