Ainsley slouched back in his chair like it was his throne, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him like a lead blanket. The flickering light from his desk lamp cast shadows across the room, but none of them could match the dark cloud hanging over his mood. Eric broke the silence, his question hanging in the air like a stubborn fly.
"Ainsley, it’s not because of her, is it?" Eric asked, his finger tapping out a beat on the desk. The rhythm was annoyingly steady, like a metronome ticking down to his doom.
Ainsley didn’t budge. He didn’t even flinch. His gaze was as cold as a freezer in Antarctica. Jacob, on the other hand, was practically vibrating with curiosity. He leaned in, practically licking his lips. "For her? Who? Spill it, man. Who are we talking about?"
Eric’s stare neve
