I had convinced myself that returning to work would help me cope. My reasoning was straightforward: avoid places that held traces of Hadrian’s presence. The thought of immersing myself in the world of numbers and legal jargon brought a flicker of excitement—an escape, however fleeting, from the gnawing ache buried deep in my heart and mind. Against Freya’s advice, I decided to head to the bank’s headquarters after breakfast. Anything to distance myself from the oppressive weight of ...