One week after Lily's surgery.
Lily had survived. The surgery was successful. She was recovering at the hospital with stable condition and improving every day.
Emma returned to the office.
She had an important meeting today. A meeting about a new business strategy for Harrison and Associates.
A meeting with a big client from Singapore who wanted to invest in their latest real estate project.
Marcus was preparing a slide presentation in his work room. Emma was there too. She was helping Marcus check the data and ensure every detail was perfect.
"Is this data correct?" asked Emma while looking at the laptop.
"Yes, already checked twice," answered Marcus. "But I appreciate if you double check it again."
"Good," said Emma while focusing on the data.
They worked together with smooth coordination. Good teamwork between them. As if they had been working together for years, even though their relationship was only a few weeks old.
Marcus watched Emma focusing on the laptop. There was something that changed in the way Emma worked. Emma looked confident. Emma looked self-assured. Not like a secretary afraid of making mistakes, but like a partner who had the right to share opinions.
"Emma," said Marcus.
"Yes?" answered Emma without looking from the laptop.
"Thank you," said Marcus. "For all your help. For the ideas. For your support."
Emma looked at Marcus. Emma smiled. A natural smile. A warm smile.
"That's what a partner should do," answered Emma. "Support each other."
Partner. Emma said partner, not wife. Not wife in a contract. But partner. Partner in life.
Marcus heard that word. Marcus felt something warm in his chest.
2 PM. Time for the meeting to start.
Marcus and Emma entered the large and luxurious meeting room. There were already eight people there. Clients from Singapore. Lawyers. Business partners. Everyone was waiting for Marcus.
Marcus sat at the head of the table. Emma sat behind Marcus, but not too far. Emma took out a notebook and pen. Emma was ready to note down important things.
"Good afternoon, everyone," said Marcus with a professional tone. "Thank you for coming today. We have prepared an exciting new strategy for the expansion of Harrison and Associates."
Marcus started the presentation. Slide after slide. Data after data. Marcus explained the new strategy in very detailed manner. The strategy was about expansion into the Southeast Asian market with focus on sustainable development and community engagement.
During the presentation, a Singapore client asked a question.
"This strategy is impressive, Marcus. But I have concern about the market entry in Southeast Asia. The competition is very high, and the regulations are complex," said the client. "How will you handle the regulatory challenges? And how will you differentiate from competitors?"
Marcus stopped for a moment. He didn't answer immediately. Marcus thought. Marcus looked for relevant data from the laptop. But Marcus felt that the information available was not enough to answer this question comprehensively.
Emma heard the question. Emma started thinking. Emma searched the data in Emma's laptop. Emma opened a file containing market research about Southeast Asia.
Emma wrote something on a small piece of paper. Emma showed the paper to Marcus carefully, so others wouldn't notice.
Marcus looked at Emma's note.
Emma wrote: "Thailand market has strong regulatory framework for foreign investment. Vietnam has tax incentives for sustainable projects. We can partner with local firms to navigate regulations."
Marcus read Emma's note. Marcus felt this insight was very valuable. This insight was exactly what he needed to answer the client's question.
Marcus stood from his chair. Marcus took the remote control for the slides.
"That is an excellent question," said Marcus to the client while looking more confident now. "Let me address this. We have done extensive research on regulatory frameworks in Southeast Asia. In Thailand, there is strong infrastructure for foreign investment with clear guidelines. In Vietnam, there are significant tax incentives for sustainable development projects."
Marcus clicked the remote. A new slide appeared with data about regulatory landscape in Thailand and Vietnam.
"Our strategy is to partner with local firms who already have deep understanding about local regulations," continued Marcus smoothly. "This approach will reduce our regulatory risk significantly. By combining our international expertise with local knowledge, we can move faster and more efficiently."
Marcus continued the presentation with more confidence now. Marcus explained about the comprehensive market research. About competitive pricing strategy. About innovative marketing approach that was culturally sensitive.
The Singapore client nodded. Other clients also nodded. Everyone looked impressed.
Other questions came one by one. And every time Marcus struggled, Emma always had an insight or data that could help Marcus answer perfectly.
In the end, the client said: "Marcus, this is exactly what we were looking for. Your comprehensive approach and local insights make us confident. We want to proceed with this partnership. We are ready to invest."
Everyone applauded. The meeting was successful. The deal was closed.
After the meeting ended and everyone left, only Marcus and Emma remained in the meeting room. They both sat at the table that was still cluttered with presentation materials.
Marcus looked at Emma with an appreciative and warm expression.
"Was all of that your idea?" asked Marcus.
"Just part of it," answered Emma humbly. "I just connected some data that we had. But the idea was yours, Marcus. You who presented with confidence and conviction."
"No," said Marcus firmly. "That idea was yours. The answer was perfect because of you. You saw things that I missed. You have sharp intuition about business strategy. I have never worked with someone who has the combination of skills like you."
Emma felt proud. Emma felt valuable. Emma felt that her contribution was truly appreciated.
Marcus stood and walked closer to Emma.
"From now on, I want Emma to be part of all these strategic meetings," said Marcus. "Not just as a note taker. But as a strategic advisor. As part of my core team."
Emma felt shocked. Emma didn't expect a promotion like this.
"Really?" asked Emma.
"Absolutely," answered Marcus sincerely. "You deserve it. You have the ability. And I want you to develop that ability even more. I want you to be part of important business decisions. I want you to be my equal in this."
Equal. Marcus said equal. Not subordinate. Not wife. But equal.
Emma felt something move in her heart. Something warm. Something that felt like genuine recognition and respect.
They left the meeting room. They walked in the office corridor that was starting to become quiet. The office was starting to close because it was late afternoon.
"Thank you," said Emma while walking beside Marcus.
"For what?" asked Marcus.
"For believing in me," answered Emma. "For seeing that I can be more than a secretary. For treating me as a partner, not as a subordinate."
Marcus stopped walking. Marcus looked at Emma with intense eyes.
"Emma is not a subordinate," said Marcus seriously. "Emma is a partner. Partner in business. And also..." Marcus hesitated for a moment. "Emma is a partner in my life."
Emma heard that sentence. A sentence that was not just about business. But about their relationship that was deeper than just a contract.
"I know our marriage started as a deal," continued Marcus. "I know it was not a romance novel. But Emma, over these weeks, you became part of my meaningful life. You made me become a better person. You made me remember that there is more than business."
Emma didn't know what to say. Emma felt her eyes getting watery.
"Marcus..." whispered Emma.
"I am serious," said Marcus. "I didn't ask you to be a strategic advisor just because of your skills. I asked because I want Emma to be near me more. I want you to be part of my decisions. I want you to know that you are important to me."
Emma hugged Marcus. A spontaneous hug. A genuine hug. A hug that spoke louder than words.
Marcus hugged Emma back. A tight hug. A hug full of emotion.
They both stood in the empty office corridor. They embraced each other. They didn't care who saw. They didn't care what people would say. They only cared about this moment. A moment where two people who started from a business arrangement now shared something far more real.
"I also believe in you," said Emma with a weak voice. "I believe that you are a good person. A person who has a heart. A person who is worth believing in."
They drove home together in the late afternoon.