I understood what the trident represented.
That was part of the problem.
Daniel spotted me after the formal handshakes ended.
He excused himself from two teammates and came toward the back wall, but he did not come alone.
He stopped at an angle that kept both men close enough to hear whatever he planned to say.
“Didn’t think you’d actually show,” he said.
His eyes moved over my blazer, my visitor badge, and the plain black heels I wore to work meetings.
He had the same look our father used whenever my current life came up, as if the clothes confirmed the story they had already chosen about me.
Then the smirk returned.
“Must be weird watching someone actually finish.”
The teammate on Daniel’s left stared at the floor.
The one on his right shifted his weight and glanced toward the reception area.
Neither man laughed.
That should have mattered to Daniel.
