The elderly lady looked toward her husband with the unmistakable delight of a child who had just been handed her favorite sweet. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and the smile on her face seemed to erase years from it.
Watching the affectionate exchange between the couple, Elena felt an unfamiliar warmth settle quietly in her chest. Their easy companionship, their gentle teasing, and the obvious affection they had for one another stirred something deep inside her. It was the kind of love that wasn't loud or dramatic, but steady enough to survive decades.
Smiling softly, she excused herself for a brief moment and stepped into the hallway to call Camille.
"Camille, I'm going to be away from the office for about an hour," she said. "Please have everyone coordinate through the project gro
