The afternoon sun cast long shadows across Julian’s office, painting the mahogany furniture in hues of amber and gold. The silence in the room was broken only by the soft hum of the air conditioning and the distant murmur of city traffic. Mary, having completed her assigned tasks, felt a growing sense of unease, a need to check on Julian, to ensure that he was holding up after the tumultuous events of the morning.
She hesitated outside his door, her hand hovering over the polished brass knob. She didn’t want to intrude, to invade his privacy, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that he needed her, that he was struggling to cope with the weight of his responsibilities.
Taking a deep breath, she knocked softly on the door. After a moment, she heard a faint voice say, "Come in."
She pushed
