Monday morning did not bring calm.

It had consequences.

Elena Cruz felt it from the moment she walked through the company doors.

There were no whispers this time.

There was no discreet laughter.

There was silence.

An awkward silence.

Heavy.

Different.

The kind of silence that appears when everyone knows something that you also know… but nobody wants to say it out loud.

Elena walked towards her desk without stopping.

His stance was firm.

Professional.

But inside, her mind was still on the previo