When you finished, did you "properly" store the torque wrench?
(Just a test to see if you read the instructions that came with the
tool.)

Um, well, I very carefully put it back in the cheap plastic case it came in,
and wrapped the directions around the handle.
Was there more to it?

You are supposed to release the setting/set it to zero/whatever it is
called, to take the pressure/stress/strain/whatever off the torque break
mechanism.