Page 351 of Double or Nothing

It’s been growing quietly over the past few days, somewhere between the reports, the meetings and the tedious discussions about compliance. Every time I remained in my chair when the work became dull. Every time I listened instead of interrupting. Every time I accepted Eli’s criticism without turning it into a joke.

I’m learning that strength isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s staying still and silent when every instinct tells you to run.

I lock my gaze on Bryce’s.

He swallows.

“I read your messages,” he says.

I nod.

“All of them,” he carries on. “I should’ve read them sooner, but I didn’t. I couldn’t. I thought you might prove Bill right, and then I thought you might prove me wrong, which somehow felt worse, and I know that makes no sense, but I’ve made a complete mess of everything.”

The words tumble over one another.

He takes a step towards me.

“I shouldn’t have ignored you. I shouldn’t have taken my things without speaking to you, and I shouldn’t have believed everything Bill said. Not everything, exactly, but enough of it. I was angry, and frightened, and I wanted somebody else to explain what had happened because I couldn’t…”

“Bryce.”

“I resigned.”

The words stop me.

He stares back at me, breathing hard.

“What?”

“I resigned from Parker Capital.”

I see the fear beneath the announcement.

Not regret.

Shock.

Jesus, what a statement. Bryce has spent his entire adult life inside that company. Parker Capital wasn’t merely his employer. It was the structure holding up his identity, with William Parker positioned at the centre like some benevolent god.

Bryce has walked away from both.

“When?” I ask.

“Today. A few hours ago.”

The magnitude presses into the room.

I should congratulate him. Ask what happened. Tell him he made the right decision or offer to have Eli draw up a contract before Bryce has time to panic. We need someone to help with expansion and project management.

That would be the old approach.

See a space and fill it.

See a problem and produce an answer before anyone asks.

But I push those thoughts aside.

“Is that why you’re here?”