Chapter 155. Boardroom Meeting

Tristan's POV

Elona was combing her hair in front of the mirror as I sat on the edge of the bed, shirt halfway buttoned, staring at my own reflection in the mirror. My eyes were ringed with fatigue, the weight of the past few days carved into every line on my face. The anxiety clung to my chest like smoke I couldn’t clear. Today was the board meeting, the one where I would have to explain the pending investigation. The one where I would be stared at like a liability.

“Tristan,” her voice broke through. I turned to look at her. She was standing by the bedroom door now, her eyes scanning me. I didn't realize that she had walked away from the mirror. “Are you okay?”

I nodded slowly. “As okay as I can be.” I stood up, tucking my shirt into my slacks, forcing my body to move even if my brain wasn’t ready. “You always look stunning,” even when she was