The room fell into a quiet that wasn’t announced but felt.
Chairs stopped shifting. Low conversations died mid sentence. Even the faint tapping of fingers against laptops slowed, then stopped completely.
All eyes turned to me.
I didn’t rush. I didn’t hesitate either. Every step I took toward the table was measured, steady, intentional. The sound of my heels against the polished floor echoed just enough to remind them I was there, not hiding, not shrinking.
Present.
Seen.
And this time, not to be dismissed.
Lucas moved to his usual seat at the head of the table, but I didn’t follow him there. Instead, I walked to the empty chair opposite him and pulled it out slowly before sitting down.
A deliberate choice.
Not beside him.
Not behind him.
Across from him.
A silent line drawn.
I
