Chapter 197: The Unexpected Challenge

The morning began like any other. Jason had just left for work, and I was sipping my coffee, mentally preparing for the day ahead. The kids were still asleep, and the house was blissfully quiet. As I flipped through my planner, I couldn't help but think about how well Jason had been balancing his new role as managing partner. He had been handling the transition with grace, and I was so proud of him. However, life has a way of throwing curveballs just when you think everything is running smoothly. Around noon, my phone buzzed. It was a text from Jason: "We need to talk. Something came up at work. Can you meet for lunch?" My heart skipped a beat. Jason's messages were usually lighthearted and brief. This one felt different. I quickly arranged for a neighbor to watch the kids and headed to the downtown café where Jason and I often met. When I arrived, Jason was already there, staring intently at his phone. His usual confident demeanor was replaced by a look of worry. "Hey," I said, s