Aaron woke before the alarm, the room still dark, the lake invisible beyond the window. He lay still for a moment, orienting himself to the day — not by the clock, not by his phone, but by the weight of what was scheduled. Dr. Osei's flight landed at two. The conference room was ready. Jessica had confirmed everything three times. There was nothing left to prepare, nothing left to check, nothing left to control.
Beside him, Sophie stirred. Her hand found his under the covers, her fingers threading through his, still warm from sleep. She did not open her eyes.
"You're thinking too loud," she murmured.
"Sorry."
"Don't be sorry. Just tell me what you're thinking."
He turned onto his side to face her, the outline of her face just visible in the grey light. "I'm thinking about what happens after today. After she's here and settled and the fund doesn't need me the way it did."
"And what do you think happens?"
"I don't know. That's what unsettles me."
