The morning began with silence—and dread.
Emilia stood in the doorway of Max’s bedroom, arms folded, watching as he stared blankly out the window, jaw clenched. The sunlight cut sharp lines across his face, highlighting every shadow beneath his eyes. He hadn’t spoken since breakfast, unless muttering “This is a waste of time” into his coffee counted.
"You need to get dressed," she said gently, not for the first time.
He didn’t move.
"Max," she tried again, walking closer. “You said you’d go to the board meeting today.”
"And you believed me?" he muttered without turning.
Emilia rolled her eyes. "You also said if you didn’t show your face, they'd assume you're not fit to run the company. You can’t have it both ways."
He let out a low grunt and finally shifted in his chair. “They alrea
