Back home, I found David in the living room, his laptop open and a spreadsheet on the screen. He looked up as I walked in, a mixture of surprise and apprehension on his face.

“We need to talk,” I said, my tone firm.

He sighed, closing his laptop. “I figured you’d say that. Look, I know it seems like a lot, but I really believe in this.”

“It’s not just about belief, David,” I replied, taking a seat across from him. “There are real risks here. We need to be smart about this.”

“I know, but I’ve done my research,” he insisted, though his voice wavered slightly.

“And so have I,” I countered, my gaze steady. “I talked to Mr. Jacobs. He found some issues with the contract. We need to renegotiate.”

David looked taken aback, his confidence shaken. “What kind of issues?”

I explained the concerns, the lack of an exit strategy, the questionable financial projections. As I spoke, I saw the realization dawning on his face.

“I didn’t see it like that,” he admitted, his voice softer. “I just wanted to do something big, something that could help us both.”

I reached across the table, placing a hand on his. “I know. But we need to be careful. We can’t rush into this without thinking it through.”

He nodded, a small smile breaking through his worried expression. “Okay. Let’s go over it together. Make sure we’re both on board.”

It was a start, a small victory, but I knew there was still a long way to go.

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