Chapter 4 SHADOW IN HER MIND

Emily sat at the long conference table, her laptop open, fingers flying across the keyboard as she pieced together the proposal presentation. Her team had scattered for the evening, but she stayed late, determined to prove she could deliver despite everything.

Focus, Emily, she reminded herself, pushing stray thoughts away. She adjusted her glasses and stared hard at the spreadsheet, highlighting data points, refining details. This project was her chance to secure her reputation. It had nothing to do with Ethan.

Except his face kept floating into her mind.

She exhaled sharply, shoving her chair back. Standing, she walked to the window, staring down at the glittering city below. Ten years had passed. A whole decade. She should be over him by now, shouldn't she?

Her heart betrayed her every time she saw him. His voice, his eyes, his presence-it all pulled at a string she thought had been cut long ago.

No, she told herself firmly. This isn't about the past. I'm here for the project. He's just a client.

Ethan's POV

Across the hallway, Ethan watched through the glass wall, arms folded. He hadn't meant to linger, but he found himself drawn to the quiet figure still working late. Emily, under the harsh office lights, looked both fragile and fierce.

He turned away, berating himself. He should leave her alone. He had no right to complicate her life again. Lexi was waiting for him at home, expecting dinner, conversation, attention.

But his feet stayed rooted.

Why did you come back, Emily? he wondered. Why now, when I've buried everything we were?

Emily's POV

Emily returned to her seat, blinking at her screen. She flinched when a soft knock sounded at the door. She looked up sharply-and there he was.

"Still here?" Ethan asked, his tone light, but his eyes held a storm.

Emily stiffened. "I could ask you the same."

He stepped inside, shutting the door quietly behind him. The tension in the room thickened instantly, making it hard to breathe.

"I wanted to see how you were settling in," Ethan said.

Emily narrowed her eyes. "Don't pretend to care, Ethan."

For a moment, he looked genuinely pained. "Emily-"

"Don't," she cut him off, holding up a hand. "I need to finish this. I can't let you distract me."

Ethan took a step closer, then stopped. His hands clenched at his sides.

"You were always the most determined person I knew," he murmured. "I admired that about you."

Emily's throat tightened. She pressed her lips together, forcing her eyes back to the screen.

"Please, Ethan. Let me work."

For a heartbeat, neither of them moved.

Finally, Ethan let out a breath and turned. "Good night, Emily."

She didn't answer.

The door clicked softly shut behind him.

Emily's POV (later that night)

Alone, Emily slumped forward, resting her head on her arms. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to will away the ache in her chest.

She had thought she was strong enough for this. That she could walk back into his world and stay unaffected.

But every look, every word, every memory was pulling her under.

I can't let this happen, she thought desperately. I can't fall apart over him again.

The city lights blurred in her vision as the first tears slid silently down her cheeks.