—Mabel—

The silence that followed his departure suffocated me.

I leaned forward and clicked the intercom.

“Mara, please come.”

A faint crackle.

“Right away.”

I leaned back and stared at the door, Tom’s last words replaying in my head.

Why did he make me feel so exposed? As if he'd peeled back a layer I didn't even know was showing.

The door slid open, and Mara walked in.

“Ma’am?”

“Take care of this,” I said, handing her the flowers.

She nodded. “Of course.”

I waited ...