Dave sat in his office, staring blankly at the financial reports spread out before him. The numbers had lost all meaning, blurred by the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind. Mira’s public accusations had hit like a bombshell, and the fallout was already threatening his business, his reputation, and the life he had been building with Cassidy.
A knock on the door snapped him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see his mother entering the room. She had always been a pillar of strength, guiding him through tough decisions and difficult times, but her face told something else, held different shades of colour that unsettled him.
"Mom," Dave greeted, trying to muster a reassuring smile, but it felt weak even to him.
She walked over to his desk, her eyes scanning the disarray of papers befo
