Ivan Cepeda (Young)

The office door slammed shut, finally silencing the endless murmur of the hallways. Open folders, documents marked in red ink, and a coffee mug that had been cold for hours lay piled on the desk. The young senator slumped back in his chair, rubbing the bridge of his nose with obvious exhaustion.

She had spent the entire day in tense meetings, incessant calls, and decisions that seemed to have unpredictable consequences. For a moment, the silence of the office felt more overwhelming than any argument.

The door opened gently again. It was his wife. She asked no questions and made no mention of the mess in the office. She closed the door behind her and walked calmly toward him.

Upon seeing her, the rigidity in his shoulders eased. He rose slowly and enveloped her in a long embrace, burying his face in the crook of her neck. He remained like that for several seconds, breathing heavily, as if trying to leave the weight of the day behind.

—I don't want to think for five minutes... just stay with me.

She silently stroked his hair. She didn't need to say anything; that stillness was worth more than any advice. He closed his eyes, clinging to that moment of calm before returning to face the mountain of files that still awaited him on the desk.