The next morning, Maya walked into Cole Enterprises with her shoulders squared and her heart a little heavier than usual.
She'd spent half the night replaying Ethan's words — "You were the only thing that ever mattered." They shouldn't have meant anything anymore, but somehow, they still did.
She hated that.
She hated that one look from him could still unravel her so completely.
The elevator doors opened to the top floor. As she stepped into the hallway, she noticed Ethan standing by the window, his phone pressed to his ear, his voice low and controlled — the kind of tone he used when things were about to explode.
"Yes, I'm aware of the risks," he was saying. "No, I won't let him near the board again. Carter's done enough damage."
He ended the call, exhaling sharply as he turned — and froze when he saw her. For a moment, neither spoke.
"Morning," she said, breaking the silence first.
He nodded, slipping the mask of professionalism back over his face. "Morning, Ms. Hayes. How's the schedule looking?"
She lifted the tablet in her hand. "Three meetings, two calls, and a board review at four. I added a briefing note for each."
"Efficient as always."
She managed a polite smile. "That's what you pay me for."
Ethan hesitated, studying her expression, but she'd already turned away.
It was safer this way — to pretend nothing had happened, to bury what her heart refused to forget.
---
The day passed in a blur of meetings and signatures. But underneath the surface of routine, tension simmered. Ethan was quieter than usual, distracted.
During lunch, Maya found herself in the break room again, mechanically stirring her coffee. Her friend Clara walked in, eyeing her knowingly.
"You look like someone who hasn't slept," Clara said.
"I didn't," Maya admitted.
Clara leaned on the counter. "So… Ethan again?"
"Not in the way you think," Maya said quickly.
Clara raised an eyebrow. "Then in what way?"
Maya hesitated. "He told me why he left. Why he disappeared."
Clara's expression softened. "And?"
"And it doesn't make it easier," Maya murmured. "Knowing he did it to protect me just makes me feel… angry and sad at the same time."
"Because you still care," Clara said gently.
Maya didn't answer. She didn't need to.
---
That evening, as the building emptied, Maya was still at her desk finalizing a presentation for Ethan's board meeting. She didn't notice him step out of his office until he was standing beside her.
"You're still here," he said quietly.
She didn't look up. "You're observant."
He gave a soft laugh. "Touché."
After a pause, he asked, "Are you free for dinner? Strictly business. We need to discuss how to handle Carter's reappearance."
She hesitated, staring at the screen — then sighed. "Fine. But it's your treat."
---
They ended up at a quiet restaurant near the office — one with warm lighting and a soft hum of music. Ethan had reserved a private table in the corner.
As they sat, Maya couldn't help but notice how different he seemed outside the office. His tie was gone, his shirt sleeves rolled, his expression less guarded.
He looked… human again.
"Thank you for coming," he said. "I know it's awkward."
"It's fine," she said lightly. "We're just talking business."
"Right," he said, though the flicker in his eyes said otherwise.
They ordered — wine for him, water for her — and for a while, they focused on the details of Carter's threats. But the longer they talked, the more their conversation drifted.
"To think," Ethan said at one point, smiling faintly, "the last time we had dinner together, you made me eat something called truffle mac and cheese and claimed it was sophisticated."
Maya laughed before she could stop herself. "It was good!"
"It was a heart attack on a plate."
"You loved it."
He smiled. "I loved the company more."
The laughter faded, leaving quiet between them. The kind that said everything words couldn't.
Maya looked down at her glass. "You can't keep saying things like that, Ethan."
"Why not?"
"Because it hurts," she whispered.
He reached across the table, fingers brushing hers before she could pull away. "Then tell me to stop, Maya. Tell me you don't feel it too."
Her breath caught. "You think I haven't tried?"
Their eyes met — and for a heartbeat, the world outside the table ceased to exist.
He leaned closer, voice low. "I never stopped loving you."
Maya froze. The words hit her harder than she was ready for.
She wanted to believe them — part of her always had — but too much time had passed, too much pain left behind.
"Ethan…" she began softly, but before she could finish, his phone buzzed sharply against the table.
He frowned, glancing at the screen. The color drained from his face.
"Who is it?" she asked.
"Carter."
Maya's stomach dropped. "What does he want now?"
Ethan read the message, jaw tightening. "He's threatening to release documents tonight. Ones that name you."
"What?" Her pulse spiked. "I thought you said he didn't have access anymore."
"He shouldn't," Ethan said, standing abruptly. "He must've kept copies. I'll handle it."
Maya stood too. "No. I'm not hiding while you take the blame again."
He looked at her, his voice soft but firm. "I won't let you get dragged into this."
"And I won't let you fight alone," she shot back. "Not again."
Their eyes locked — the same stubborn fire burning in both.
After a moment, Ethan exhaled and smiled faintly. "You're still impossible."
"You knew that when you hired me."
He chuckled, the sound breaking through the tension. "Remind me why I thought this was a good idea?"
"Because deep down," she said quietly, "you missed having me around."
Ethan's smile faded, replaced by something tender. "You have no idea how much."
---
They left the restaurant together, the night air crisp and heavy with tension. As they reached his car, Ethan paused and turned toward her.
"Maya," he said softly, "if this gets ugly… if Carter really pushes this, I'll protect you no matter what it costs."
She shook her head. "You keep saying that like I'm some fragile secret. I'm not. I can fight too."
"I know you can," he said, his gaze steady. "That's one of the things I love most about you."
Her breath hitched. "Ethan…"
He took a small step closer — close enough that she could see the flecks of silver in his eyes, the faint lines of exhaustion at the corners. "I meant what I said earlier. I never stopped loving you. I just stopped believing I deserved you."
Maya felt tears sting her eyes. "You shouldn't say things like that."
"Why not?" he whispered.
"Because I might believe you," she said, her voice trembling.
Ethan's jaw tightened, his restraint slipping. For a heartbeat, it looked like he might kiss her — the air between them charged, electric. But then he stepped back, forcing himself to breathe.
"I'll send you updates once I meet with Carter's lawyer," he said finally, his tone professional again.
Maya nodded, though her heart was anything but steady. "Be careful, Ethan."
He smiled faintly. "You too, Ms. Hayes."
As she turned to leave, he watched her go — the woman who'd haunted his dreams for five long years. And for the first time, he realized he was no longer just trying to protect her.
He was trying to win her back.