Chapter98 The Loop of Longing

Riley exhales, slow and heavy. The kind of breath that makes his chest feel hollow. His fingers tap against the folder, slow and steady, like a clock ticking down.

Even though the others are capable, he always feels something is off. It’s the little things. Yesterday, someone scheduled a lunch meeting at the sushi place downtown. Amanda knew he only went there with clients he disliked. It was his way of keeping those meetings short. He ended up sitting across from a board member he actually respected, eating half-stale salmon, trying not to look pissed.

It’s stupid. Small stuff. But it piles up. Now, everything feels out of place. His day-to-day rhythm is off. Meetings go longer. Emails pile up. He forgets things he never used to.

He used to think it was just stress. Or maybe grief. But now he knows. Amanda’s leaving didn’t just take her away—it took a part of him with her.

He rubs a hand over his face. His palm feels rough against his skin. Like he’s been tired for weeks, maybe month