The morning of the meeting arrived, the air thick with tension.
I dressed with care, choosing an outfit that spoke of quiet confidence.
But beneath the fabric, my heart raced.
My son’s laughter was a balm, a reminder of what truly mattered.
As I dropped him off at daycare, he waved with a smile that eased my nerves.
Yet the walk to the office was a gauntlet of anticipation.
Each step a countdown to the unknown.
The legal department’s office was sterile, a room devoid of warmth.
HR representatives sat across from me, faces unreadable.
Words were exchanged, formal and heavy.
