Michael arrived at the office before most of the staff, stepping into the building with a calm that looked composed on the surface but carried a quiet heaviness beneath it. He moved through the halls with his usual firm posture, greeting no one, heading straight to his office as though routine alone could hold him together. The moment he sat behind his desk, however, the façade began to slip.He powered on his computer, opened the first file, and stared at it for almost a full minute without reading a single sentence. His mind kept drifting back to the message he received the night before.He had read it once, twice, a third time, until the words blurred and reformed, each repetition carving deeper into him.He placed the phone face-down on the desk, refusing to let it distract him.He told himself he needed to work.That he could handle this.He also told himself he would not drive to that address — not today, not tomorrow, not ever.He didn’t want to be that man.He didn’t want t

The atmosphere in the boardroom that morning felt strangely tightened, as if a quiet storm had settled above the heads of everyone seated around the glossy mahogany table. A major investor from the North had requested an emergency update meeting with almost no notice, a demand that sent ripples across Donovan Industries. They never called sudden meetings unless something felt off. And with the whispers about Michael’s recent withdrawn behaviour floating through certain circles, the board had been bracing themselves for an uncomfortable morning.Michael walked into the boardroom exactly on time, his steps measured, his posture upright, his expression calm. He greeted everyone with a polite nod before taking his seat at the head of the table. There was nothing sluggish or troubled in his presence today; instead, he carried the same collected authority he was known for before the whirlwind of recent weeks began. The room seemed to settle slightly in response, as though absorbing th

The charity event was held at one of the most prestigious hotels in the city, the kind of place where the chandeliers hung low in warm golden light and conversations drifted through the hall like gentle waves. Donovan Industries had been invited as one of the supportive partners, and Michael arrived dressed in a deep navy suit that matched the calm, calculated expression he had been wearing all week. His presence garnered attention immediately, not only because of his role, but also because his recent silence in the business sphere had left many curious to see him again.Clarissa walked beside him, elegant as always, though her steps carried a slight tension she tried carefully to conceal. She had no idea what the evening would hold, but she hoped it would pass quietly.For the first hour, everything remained predictable. They greeted familiar faces, exchanged polite smiles, and took part in casual conversations with different business associates. Michael handled himself with the

Michael arrived at the office earlier than usual, stepping out of his car with a pace that immediately caught the attention of the security team. His movements were precise, his expression unreadable, and there was a firm energy around him that hadn’t been there for weeks. This was something sharper, more focused, the kind of clarity that comes when a person reaches the end of one phase of struggle and shifts into another.He walked into the building without lingering for any greetings, heading straight for the executive floor. Within minutes of settling behind his desk, he began sifting through reports with an almost relentless speed. His assistants barely had time to adjust before he started restructuring deadlines, moving projects forward, and cleaning up backlogged tasks that had been piling since his emotional retreat.“Move the procurement review to this afternoon,” he instructed one of the secretaries. “And bring me the quarterly projections again. I want to adjust three fi

The quarterly staff assembly filled the main auditorium more than usual. Employees from every department streamed in, marketing, finance, legal, HR, operations, all curious to hear the CEO’s address. Michael stood backstage for a few minutes before stepping out. His posture was straight, his expression calm, and his suit neat without a wrinkle. Everything about him appeared controlled and dignified.But the heaviness around him was unmistakable.When he finally walked to the podium, the murmurs softened. The lights overhead washed his face in a warm glow that made him look steadier than he had felt in weeks. He adjusted the microphone, offered a small nod to the hall, and began speaking.“Good morning, everyone.”The greeting landed gently. His voice was strong, smooth, and clear, the voice of a leader who always knew how to command a room. But those who were used to his speeches felt something different this time. He didn’t carry the usual warmth. Or tease the younger staff wit