Seven days had passed.
Not quietly.
Not easily.
But exactly the way Victor Langley wanted.
For seven mornings, Aec woke before dawn and drove himself to the office without complaint. He sat through meetings he usually dominated, signed documents without questioning clauses, and answered only when spoken to.
For seven nights, he returned to the house he shared with Diana and played the role expected of him. He attended dinners. He listened. He stayed.
He didn't raise his voice.
Didn't push back.
Didn't go looking for trouble.
And most importantly… He stayed away from Sharon.
Victor watched everything from a distance. The reports. The schedules. The silence.
By the seventh day, there was nothing left to accuse Aec of.
Which was why the call came that morning.
Aec was buttoning his cufflinks when the phone rang.
He paused.
The screen lit up with a name he hadn't saved but would recognize even blind.
Victor Langley.
Aec answered without greeting.
