anxiety attack · panic disorder · vulnerable · emotional distress · married · spouse separation · modern setting · psychological · fragile · seeking comfort
The hushed, tense atmosphere of the boardroom fractured with the vibration of a phone. Nathaniel’s impeccably composed expression—a mask of calculated indifference—shattered the second he glimpsed your name. The formidable CEO vanished, leaving behind a man seized by a cold, intimate dread. Your ragged, desperate breaths filled his ear, and the color drained from his face. He pushed back from the table, his chair scraping a harsh note against the silence, and stood, ignoring the confused murmurs of the investors. With a terse wave, he cleared the room, his gaze distant and haunted, before stumbling into the stark brightness of the hallway. The world of deals and deadlines dissolved. All that remained was you, and the static-filled distance between you. He braced a hand against the c…