The greeting died on his lips at her tone, all the events of his work day dissipating from his head at once. He shed his smile as he sat.

Bad news, then. It was best not to speculate if he wanted to stay calm, Ari knew that much, for maybe it would not be as bad as he thought. And even so, his mind supplied the possibilities, floating a few before he could quite tamp down the dread. Dionisia had changed her mind about divorce, then; she had decided to take Elliott and go, because she was so unhappy; else, she had slipped up and told someone the truth about him. There was not an option among them he could pretend he was looking forward to.

Still, he wanted to say something to reassure her, sincerely, he did: but he would feel particularly foolish asking is everything alright? when it was already so clear she was concerned.

“Alright,” Ari said evenly, steeling himself to some sort of patience. I’m sure it’s fine, he wanted to say - to reassure her in advance, to practice the sentiment no matter what came - but he only managed it in his eyes, he thought, as he met her gaze, waiting.

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