Mira's POV
Mira exhales softly as she places the last file into the correct stack. "…done…" Relief flickers across her face. "Okay… good…"
"Finished?" She looks up. The same man. "Yes, sir." He checks the files. "…hmm." "Too slow." The words land again. "But at least it's correct." Mira blinks. "…thank you…"
"Don't get comfortable." He places another stack. Bigger. Heavier. "Let's see how you handle pressure."
Mira stares at it. "…okay." She sits. "You can do this." But her hands hesitate.
Azael's POV
I saw it. The moment he placed the second stack. The shift in her expression. Subtle. But real. He is testing her. My gaze darkens. He should not be doing that. Not to her. I stand.
Mira's POV
This stack is harder. "…okay… just go slow…" She tries. But her rhythm is broken. Her thoughts louder. Her hands uncertain.
Azael's POV
She is struggling. Not enough for others to notice. But I do. Because of him. My gaze shifts. He is watching her again. Waiting for failure. Something cold settles in my chest. I start walking.
Mira's POV
She makes a mistake. "…no—" Papers slip. "Still can't handle basic work?" He's there again. "I—I can fix it—" "You shouldn't make mistakes." "…I'm trying…" "Trying doesn't matter if the result is failure."
Failure.
Something flickers in her expression.
Azael's POV
There. That flicker. Something dims.
He crossed the line.
I walk forward.
Mira's POV
"I'm sorry." "This place isn't for people like you."
Silence.
"…I'll improve."
"Or you'll leave."
"That won't be necessary."
The voice cuts through everything.
Azael's POV
The room stills. I step forward. "You seem to have a lot of time." He stiffens. "Sir, I was just—" "Monitoring inefficiency?" Silence. "Then start with yourself."
He leaves. Quickly.
Mira's POV
Everything feels still. "…sir…"
"…you're rushing."
"…I—"
"Slow down. Your mistakes are caused by speed, not inability."
Her eyes widen. "…okay…"
He leaves.
Azael's POV
I should not have said that. And yet—I did.
I pause in the hallway. Her expression replays. The flicker. The way it didn't disappear. Because I stopped it.
"…Mira."
There is no stepping back.
If anyone tries to break her—
I will end them.