Justin's POV
The second the boardroom door opened, I was on my feet. I hadn’t even realized how tightly I’d been gripping the arm of the chair in the waiting hall until my knuckles ached when I let go. Annabel stepped out, clutching her folder like it was the only thing keeping her upright. Her face was pale, her lips pressed together, but her eyes, God, her eyes, looked worn out in a way I’d never seen before.
Lisa darted forward instantly, but I caught her arm lightly. “Give me a sec,” I murmured. She hesitated but let me through.
“Babe,” I said quietly, keeping my voice low so it didn’t echo in the empty hall.
She glanced at me, barely, and that was all it took. I could see she was holding herself together by threads. I stepped closer, scanning her face, trying to find something, a
