They stood near the front windows while families passed through the lobby carrying crafts and baked goods. Claire spoke first.
"Douglas withheld information from me."
Ryan's expression stayed neutral.
Claire continued. "But that does not excuse what I did. I gave you the ultimatum. That was my decision, and it was wrong."
Ryan looked at her for a long moment. "You came here to say that?"
"I came because you deserved to hear it from me."
Before he could answer, Sophie appeared at the end of the hallway carrying the gingerbread house with both hands. She slowed when she saw Claire.
"Dad?"
Ryan stepped toward her. "It is okay."
Sophie looked at Claire, then back at Ryan. "Are you Dad's boss?"
Claire's eyes shifted to Ryan for half a second. "I used to be."
Sophie lowered her voice. "Did he quit because of me?"
Ryan opened his mouth, but Claire answered first.
"No. Your dad kept a promise to you. I am the one who made a bad decision."
Sophie studied her with the direct seriousness children used before they learned to soften uncomfortable questions for adults.
"Did you say sorry?"
Claire nodded. "I am trying to."
Sophie thought about that, then looked at Ryan. "Okay."
She walked back toward the cafeteria carrying her structurally impossible gingerbread house.
Something in Ryan's face changed, not softened exactly, but opened.
Claire handed him a thin folder. "We confirmed the failover issue. Douglas is out of operational control pending review. The client still expects deployment, and Priya says the team can finish if they have the right technical lead."
Ryan did not take the folder immediately. "I am not coming back as your employee."
"I know."
"And I am not working Christmas Day."
"You will not have to."
Ryan looked at her more carefully.
Claire took a breath. "I am asking if you will help us finish safely as an independent consultant. Legal can have a short-term agreement ready before you come in tomorrow morning."
Ryan finally took the folder. "I have conditions."
"Tell me."
"No production release unless validation passes. Priya and another engineer work beside me the entire time. If the tests fail, the launch moves. Nobody gets punished for refusing a shortcut. And Christmas Day is mine."
Claire did not negotiate. "Agreed."