Something that looked like fear.
"What happened?" he asked, setting down the journal.
Maria lowered the phone. Her hands were trembling—just slightly, but enough for Saul to notice.
"Lori got a job," she said slowly. "A temporary position. In the headmaster's office."
Saul's eyebrows rose. "The headmaster? Attia?"
"Yes."
He leaned back in his chair, processing. "That's... unexpected. But good for her. The prestige alone—"
"I know." Maria cut him off, her voice sharper than she intended. "On the surface, it makes sense. She said it would look good on her CV. That the headmaster's recommendation could open doors."
Saul nodded. "She's not wrong."
"Yes." Maria stood up and walked to the window, her back to her husband. "On the surface, it makes sense."
Saul heard the hesitation in he
