As the days passed, Mark grew increasingly careless. His usual meticulous nature gave way to disarray. Papers were strewn across the kitchen counter, his office bag left unzipped, and his laptop sat open on the dining table, often forgotten as he anxiously checked his phone. The paranoia was eating at him.
The phone was the one thing he guarded fiercely. Emily knew why—it held the secrets he was so desperate to protect. She noticed the way he clutched it tightly, even taking it with him into the bathroom. He was unraveling, and Emily savored every moment of his discomfort.