By dawn, I'd finished two documents. The first: a clinical analysis of every business mistake. The second: a deeper examination of my emotional vulnerabilities during the negotiation. More honest. More revealing of the gap between appearance and reality.
The broken glass remained untouched as I dressed for my meeting with Victoria. My reflection in the bathroom mirror showed dark circles under my eyes, carefully concealed. No physical evidence of weakness would be visible today.
Victoria stood at her office window when I arrived, silhouetted against the morning light. She didn't turn as I entered.
"I reviewed your analysis," she said. "The second document was more interesting. More honest than I expected."
"Lying to myself about yesterday's failure would only guarantee its repetition."
