*A few moments before he left…*

Aaron stood in front of the tall mirror, tugging at the ends of his black tie with quiet focus. His expression was unreadable, his sharp jaw tightening every few seconds. He had done this a hundred times before, but something about today made his hands slower, less steady.

Then came a knock at the door.

He didn’t bother to respond—whoever it was would probably walk in anyway. And sure enough, a moment later, the door creaked open and Margaret stepped ...