The office felt colder.
Empty.
Even with people around.
Amara stood in the conference room, facing Adrian across the table.
But it felt like miles between them.
"Until we figure this out," he said professionally, "we're suspending joint operations."
Her stomach dropped.
"You're serious?"
"Yes."
No hesitation.
No softness.
Just business.
"You're shutting me out," she said quietly.
"I'm protecting my company."
"And I'm not?" she snapped.
"You're compromised."
The word stung.
"I didn't do anything."
"Then prove it."
Her hands clenched slightly.
"I shouldn't have to."
"You do now."
Silence.
Heavy.
Painful.
This wasn't the man who brought her coffee.
Who stood beside her in silence.
Who almost—
Her chest tightened.
"You don't trust me," she said.
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
Because the truth was—
He didn't know what to believe.
And that scared him more than anything.
"I don't know," he admitted.
And somehow—
That hurt even more than a "no."
Amara nodded slowly.
Like she understood.
But her eyes said otherwise.
"Then we're done here," she said softly.
Too softly.
Like she was holding something back.
Something fragile.
Something breaking.
She turned to leave—
But paused at the door.
Without looking back, she said—
"I would've chosen you."
And then she walked away.
Leaving Adrian alone—
With a silence that felt far too loud.