As the day progressed, Ethan tried to focus on work. He hadn't been in the office for a few days, and work had piled up. He slowly skimmed through documents, signed papers, and answered a few phone calls, but his mind kept wandering back home, and to Clara. He wondered back to the look in her eyes when she said she would fight him for full custody. He also wondered to Axiel, crying into her neck.
His pen trembled slightly in his hand.
Just then, his assistant Emma stepped into the office, her voice calm, but urgent.
"Mr. Ashford, Mr. Jones is here to see you."
Ethan closed his eyes briefly. Jones never came without a reason.
"Sure, Emma. Let him in."
A moment later, the door swung open, and Jones strolled in casually, hands in his pockets, eyes sharp with curiosity.
"Hey." Ethan greeted him, almost in a whisper.
"Damn, man," Jones said, grinning. "Is that how you greet your best friend?"
Ethan didn't return the smile. He simply stared, exhausted.
