Chapter 157

Ramon POV

I stared at the computer screen, the words blurring together into meaningless shapes. It was nearly nine at night, and I’d been locked in this office for almost twelve hours straight. My back ached, my eyes burned, and my head pounded with exhaustion.

But exhaustion was better than facing Lake and Ollie. Safer than being around them when I couldn’t trust myself.

Jennifer had finally left an hour ago, her arms full of signed contracts and reviewed documents. Before she’d gone, she’d made a comment that had cut deeper than she’d probably intended.

“Mr. Navarro,” she’d said, her tone carefully professional but with an edge of concern, “I know family is important. But completely cutting yourself off from them—hiding in your office for days on end—that’s not healthy. And frankly, it’s not sustainable. Whatever you’re dealing with, isolating yourself isn’t the answer.”

I’d dismissed her concerns with some vague reassurance about just needing