The office had been relentless all day. Every call, every meeting, every decision felt like a battle I couldn’t afford to lose. By the time I finally stepped out into the fading light of early evening, the city was painted gold and gray, the air crisp with the coming night. My suit felt tight, my shoulders sore, my mind frayed from too many numbers, too many problems, too much responsibility.

I didn’t slow my steps on the drive home. My thoughts were already back at the apartment, at ...