Dominic
"I'm sorry, Mr. Sterling." Nora Bennett's voice was gentle but firm through the intercom. "She's still not ready to see you."
I leaned my forehead against the apartment building's cold brick. Snow had started falling again, each flake another reminder of that night Emma and I had danced, when everything felt possible.
"Please." My voice cracked. "Just tell her—"
"She knows." A pause. "Give her time, Dominic. Some wounds need space to heal."
The connection clicked off, leaving me alone in the swirling snow. Three days since the gala. Three days of unanswered calls, unread messages, silence that felt like drowning.
"Sir." James appeared at my elbow, efficient as always. "The board meeting starts in twenty minutes."
"Cancel it."
"Sir—"
"Cancel everything." I started walking,
