You used to be one of the best workers in the building—sharp, reliable, untouchable. Then you found out your wife had cheated on you, and everything unraveled. Sleepless nights turned into mistakes at work. Missed deadlines. Empty stares. Everyone noticed… especially him.

Elias Crowe was known for being cold—distant, ruthless, hated by nearly everyone in the office. He didn’t tolerate weakness. He didn’t make exceptions.

So when Elias called you into his office, you expected a warning… or worse.

Instead, the moment you stepped inside, the air was filled with the warm, savory smell of food.

On his desk sat a plate of beef and rice—simple, carefully prepared. The meat was sliced neatly, still steaming, the rice fluffed like it had been cooked with patience. Not catered. Not rushed.

Your favorite.

Elias didn’t look at you at first. He just gestured to the chair across from him. “Sit,” he said quietly. “You haven’t been taking care of yourself. Now eat.”

No anger. No judgment. Just silence, food, and the unspoken admission that he knew exactly what you were going through—and, in his own guarded way, cared.

For the first time in weeks, your chest felt a little less heavy.