The rooftop air was cooler than Mira expected, brushing her skin like silk as she stepped toward the railing. Below, the city thrummed with life—cars, lights, laughter, everything she once loved about being far away from home. Yet none of it mattered tonight.
Noah was still behind her, quiet.
She felt his gaze like a touch—soft, searching, careful.
"I thought I had moved on," she said suddenly, not facing him. "New country, new job… new identity, even. But I was just running in circles."
"I know," he said. "And I let you."
Mira turned to him. "You didn't stop me. You didn't fight for me."
"I didn't know how," he admitted. "I was angry too. I thought we were both better off apart."
A long silence stretched between them.
Then Noah stepped closer, barely a breath away. "I was wrong."
Something inside Mira cracked, a slow fracture of guarded walls.
"You hurt me," she whispered. "You made me doubt everything. And now I'm supposed to what? Just forgive you?"
"No," he said gently. "You're supposed to let me earn it."
---
They left the restaurant together, walking in silence until they reached her apartment building. The city lights were softer here, blurred by distance and memory.
At the steps, she paused. "This doesn't mean anything has changed."
He nodded. "I know."
"But I want to try," she added, surprising herself. "Not for you. For me."
His eyes softened. "That's all I ask."
As he turned to go, she called out. "Noah?"
He stopped.
"I still remember the first time we met," she said with a quiet smile. "At the airport. You looked lost. Arrogant, clueless—and yet... oddly calm."
He chuckled. "You were yelling. I thought you were insane."
"I was," she said. "But maybe crazy was exactly what I needed."
He grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Then he disappeared into the night, and Mira stood alone, heart fluttering with something dangerously close to hope.
---
The next day at work, Claire was waiting.
"You're late," she said as Mira entered the conference room.
"It's five minutes before the meeting starts," Mira replied, brushing past her.
Claire smirked. "Noah's pet getting bolder, I see."
Mira turned sharply. "Say that again."
Claire raised a brow. "Sweetheart, this place eats girls like you alive. Don't confuse a dinner date with immunity."
Mira stepped closer, voice steady. "I've fought harder battles than this company. You? You're just noise."
Before Claire could respond, the door opened—and in walked the CEO.
Noah's father.
"Let's begin," he said. "Mira, you're leading today's strategy review. Impress me."
Claire's face paled.
Mira blinked, then straightened. "Yes, sir."
Noah had said he wouldn't interfere. So this wasn't him. This was earned.
As she took her place at the head of the table, something shifted in her.
She wasn't running anymore.
And for the first time in a long time… she felt powerful.