STEPHAN
My head throbbed like someone was hammering nails inside my skull. I sat at my big oak desk, the soft glow of the lamp spilling over piles of papers and files.
I pressed the palm of my hand hard against my forehead, fingers spread wide, trying to push the pain away. It didn't help. The ache only grew stronger, refusing to let go.
With a tired sigh, I pulled off my glasses and set them gently on the polished wood.
The room blurred for a second. I started gathering the scattered files, sliding the loose papers neatly into folders. Just as I reached for the next stack, a soft chime filled the office my alarm.
The sound brought Jasmine's voice back to me, clear as morning light: "Be home by 6 p.m."
I remembered the way her eyes had looked at breakfast and how Jaden's face had lit up with hope when we promised to play games together.
