By the time Theo was brought in, the house had already settled into a kind of silence that wasn’t natural. I didn’t sit behind the desk this time. Instead, I stood beside it, my hands resting lightly against the polished surface, my attention fixed on the door as it opened. Theo stepped in looking disheveled, almost like he hadn’t slept. Good. He paused just inside the room, uncertain, like he didn’t know how far he was allowed to come. “Sir,” he said, his tone, polite, and careful. Too careful. I didn’t respond immediately. I let the silence stretch longer, just long enough for it to start pressing in on him. Then— “Sit.” I said. He obeyed quickly. I watched his hands clasp together, then unclasp, then settle again. I watched the movement without saying anything. “Do you know why you’re here?” I questioned. His throat moved as he swallowed. “I assumed it was about the accounts,” he answered,. “I can explain—” “I’m sure you can.” I stated, cutting him short
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