Zack's phone buzzed again in his suit jacket, a sharp reminder of the meeting he'd abandoned midway. A shadow of frustration clouded his face as he glanced down, muttering, "Damn it."
He rubbed a hand over his face, exhaling deeply, fighting the urge to curse out loud. His eyes shifted to Nia, who stood across from him, arms crossed, her features a mix of worry and defiance. In the cold light of the office, her face looked paler than usual, her expression tight. She'd always held herself like a pillar of resilience, but now there was something raw and uncertain about her.
