Veiled Threats
The air in Caroline’s office felt heavier with all of them inside. The blinds were half-drawn, the morning sun striping the table in pale bands. Elena sat with her palms flat against her knees, willing her hands to stay still. Adrian was beside her, unreadable, a wall of quiet authority. Sophie perched opposite them, her tablet balanced on her lap like a blade hidden in plain sight. Caroline leaned back in her chair, studying each of them in turn. “So,” she said slowly. “Someone wants to speak. Adrian? Elena?” Adrian’s voice was calm. “We were saying it’s important that you hear from us before anyone else. About… boundaries that have blurred.” Elena’s throat closed. The word blurred hurt. It made her think of rain on glass, of a camera catching what the eye couldn’t ignore. Caroline’s
- Writer
