"Thanks again for today, Jazz," Katherine said softly as she stood at the door with a polite smile, one hand on the knob, the other lightly resting against the frame.
Jazz, holding her bag over one shoulder, smiled brightly. "Of course! The twins are always fun. I missed them, honestly."
Katherine nodded once, tight. "Have a good night."
"You too, Miss K!" Jazz gave her a finger salute, then turned and skipped down the hallway, humming something faint.
Katherine watched her until she disappeared into the elevator. Then she closed the door gently with a quiet click.
And just like that, her smile vanished.
Her expression melted into something tired—tired and distant. She exhaled, slow and steady, eyes lingering on the wood grain of the door for a beat too long before she turned away.
