“The board is talking about a restructuring,” he said. “They want to bring in an outside firm to audit everything I’ve signed for the last five years.”

“They have to,” I said. “You’re a liability now.”

He reached out, his hand hovering over the desk as if he wanted to touch my hand, but he stopped.

“If the board pushes me out, the company will fall apart,” he said. “We can still fix this. We can merge your new firm with King. We can brand it under your father’s name.”

“No,” I said. “I am not saving you, Elias.”

He looked at me, and for the first time in our seven years of marriage, I saw fear in his eyes.

The elevator bell rang behind him.

A young man in a dark blue suit stepped out, holding a tablet.

“Mr. King?” the man said. “Your office called. The board has made a decision regarding your status.”

Elias turned slowly.

The tablet in the man’s hand was glowing.

The courier held the tablet out, his knuckles white.

Elias did not reach for it immediately.