Simon felt the air in the office grow thin. He had delivered the message, and the ball was now squarely in his boss’s court. The silence stretched, thick and heavy.

“Mr. Helwart,” he ventured again, his voice carefully neutral, “have you forgotten? Today is the day you and Secretary Linsy are scheduled to finalize the divorce. The appointment at the civil affairs bureau is for 10 AM.”

“…”

Michael’s only response was a deeper, more profound silence. His eyes, dark and ...