Julian’s POV
The office felt smaller tonight. The dim lamp in the corner threw long shadows across the my office. The whiskey glass sat heavy in my palm, cold against my skin, but the burn going down was the only thing that still felt alive. I took another swallow—slow this time. Liquid fire scraped my throat raw, settled hot in my stomach like a second heartbeat.
James stood beside my armchair, folded his arms tight across his chest. He hadn’t sat down once. Just watched me like I might explode any second.
“Something’s definitely off,” he said quietly, his voice low like he was afraid the walls might hear.
I didn’t answer right away. I just stared into the amber swirl inside the glass. Took another pull. The burn felt good and familiar.
He shifted his weight. “The timing… it’s too da
