Chapter 4: Proximity AlarmsThe Monday morning project sync was a study in forced normalcy. Elara arrived precisely two minutes early, claiming the seat at the head of the table. Leo strode in thirty seconds later, his gaze sweeping over her as if she were a piece of office furniture before he took the chair farthest away.“Shall we begin?” Elara’s voice was clipped, professional. “I’ve circulated the updated timeline.”“I’ve seen it,” Leo said, not looking up from his tablet. “The Q2 deliverables are optimistic. Bordering on naive.”#LoveVsEgoThe meeting continued, a brutal volley of critiques and counterpoints. But the energy had shifted.