The office smelled like money and silence.
Ethan walked down the hall, dress shoes quiet on marble tile. The sun filtered through glass, sterile and gold. Every step felt like walking into a version of his past that no longer fit.
He was early. On purpose.
He’d gotten the calendar invite the day before.
> “Performance Review — 9:00 AM”
No notes. No agenda.
Just cold formality wrapped in corporate calm.
He already knew what it was.
Not a review.
Not a conversation.
A warning.
He pushed open the boardroom door.
Three partners sat at the long table. One empty seat at the head.
Ethan sat. Straight spine. Calm face.
He could still do the performance. For now.
“Ethan,” said Marcy, the lead partner. “Thank you for coming in.”
“Didn’t have much of a choice,” he said smoothly.
M
