Chapter 34: Sobering Reality

When Byron came out into the breakfast room the next day, bleary and exhausted, his mom was there sipping coffee and eating a croissant. He decided to have the same. His hangover seemed to have hit a reset button on his mood, the physical discomfort making it easier to ignore the mental suffering.

"I'm glad you're finally eating something," his mother observed. "I could kill that Christine Tourneau for putting you through this! But soon it will be all right. She'll know not to mess with our company."

Byron remembered the conversation from last night. He hadn't been as drunk as his mother might have imagined. It was his dire mood that had made him lethargic and unable to connect with people.

"Have you gone ahead with the announcement yet?" he asked. "About me being depressed?"

"Not yet. Emily insisted that you should truly be on board."

"I don't want to do it," he said firmly, "It would make me look weak."

"How long can you go on not admitting that you have a problem?" his mothe