MK had never realized how loud silence could be.
After returning abroad, she threw herself into work at Starlight's branch office.
Document after document.
File after file.
Her mind was busy.
Her heart, less so.
But everything around her felt… empty.
Jesse was in meetings all day.
Ashley was away in another city filming a campaign.
And MK was left alone with her thoughts — the one place she hated being.
By late afternoon she finally pushed away from her desk and headed home.
Ashley was returning tonight.
MK had been rehearsing apologies in her head all day, even for things she hadn't done.
"Maybe I should cook," she muttered, instantly regretting the idea.
Just picturing the stove made her tired.
She reached for her phone to order takeout…
Stopped…
Shoved the phone back in her pocket.
"I'll just take her out… that's easier."
---
ASHLEY RETURNS
MK sat across from Ashley at dinner, but she barely tasted anything.
She was too busy watching her girlfriend talk — animated, beautiful, tired from travel but glowing.
Ashley had changed her hair.
MK noticed immediately.
But she didn't say a word.
When they finally got home, Ashley collapsed onto the couch.
"I'm exhausted," she groaned, stretching.
Then she smirked.
"Help me shower?"
MK swallowed.
She wanted to say no — not because she didn't want to, but because she was afraid of her own heart, of the memories she kept fighting.
But Ashley leaned close, smiling softly.
MK couldn't refuse.
"I missed you," Ashley whispered, cupping her face.
MK felt her body heat up.
A reflex.
Her mind scrambled to match the moment, to force herself into it.
"I… missed you too."
Their kiss was soft at first.
Ashley pressed deeper.
But MK's heart didn't move.
A gap opened inside her — small but unmistakable.
And Ashley felt it.
She froze.
"…MK?" she whispered.
"You're kissing me like you're somewhere else."
MK pulled away instantly.
"No—no, I'm just tired, it's been a long day, I—"
"MK."
Ashley's voice was quiet but steady.
MK couldn't look at her.
The rest of the night was strange — tender, gentle, but wrong.
MK held Ashley like someone holding onto a rope that was slipping, one inch at a time.
---
It didn't take long.
A month of MK flinching.
A month of MK forcing herself to initiate affection.
A month of her mind drifting in the middle of a kiss.
Ashley finally asked the question MK feared most.
They were sitting on the bed, folding laundry in silence when Ashley said,
"MK… you still love her, don't you?"
MK's hands froze.
"No," MK said instantly. "She's my past."
But her voice broke on the last word.
Ashley watched her carefully — not angry, not jealous.
Just sad.
"You're trying," she said softly.
"And I love you for that. But trying isn't the same thing as choosing."
MK swallowed hard.
"MK… remember when I said if it wasn't me, I will walk away?"
"Ashley… did I do something wrong? Are you… breaking up with me?"
Ashley took MK's hands, squeezing gently.
"With how short life is, shouldn't you spend it with the person your heart chooses? Not the person you're trying to convince yourself to choose?"
MK shook her head fast.
"No. No, no—Ashley, I want this. I want you. I want us."
Ashley's eyes softened.
"Then look me in the eyes."
MK lifted her gaze.
"Tell me you love me more than you love her."
MK opened her mouth.
But no sound came out.
Her throat tightened.
Her chest stung.
Tears spilled before she could stop them.
"I… I love you, Ashley." she finally said.
Ashley smiled sadly.
"But it's different with her, isn't it?"
MK's silence was answer enough.
"Ashley…" MK whispered, voice breaking.
"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I tried. I wanted to forget her. I wanted to—"
"But you can't," Ashley finished gently.
MK sobbed.
Ashley reached up and wiped her tears — even as her own slipped down her cheeks.
"MK… this hurts both of us. But pretending hurts more."
MK collapsed into her arms, shaking.
"I don't want to lose you."
"You're not losing me," Ashley said softly.
"You're letting me go. There's a difference."
MK clung to her until Ashley gently pulled free.
"I'll leave in the morning," Ashley whispered, wiping her face.
"Please get some rest."
The door closed behind her.
MK sank onto the floor, trembling.
she was alone again.
---
MK didn't sleep.
She sat on the couch until sunrise, staring blankly at the wall.
At 9 a.m. Jesse arrived, knocking only once before entering.
The moment she saw MK's swollen eyes, she knew.
"What happened to you," Jesse asked. MK explained to her what happened.
"Ashley broke up with you," Jesse said quietly.
MK didn't answer.
Jesse exhaled, walked to her, and sat beside her.
"I'm sorry, MK."
MK didn't cry. She was past crying.
Somewhere between midnight and morning, she'd gone numb.
Jesse reached into her bag and pulled out an envelope.
"This… also came today."
MK frowned.
"What is that?"
"Your transfer."
MK blinked. "Transfer?"
"Starlight headquarters. You're being moved back. Permanently."
MK's world lurched.
"What? No. No—I just came back here. Why wasn't I told—"
"You were supposed to be," Jesse said. "Mike arrives in an hour. He's taking over this branch."
MK stared at her.
"Why are YOU telling me this and not the board?"
Jesse rubbed her neck awkwardly.
"Because Mike… told me first."
MK stood, pacing.
"So everything falls apart on the SAME DAY? Ashley leaves me, I get transferred, Mike takes my office—this can't be coincidence."
Jesse watched her quietly.
When she finally stood, she held out the envelope.
Inside were:
flight details
a new apartment key
the transfer order
and a letter stamped with the board's seal
MK took the items slowly.
Her hands shook.
"Jesse…" Her voice cracked. "I don't know what to do."
Jesse stepped closer and held her shoulders.
"Then let life decide for you. Take the transfer. Start over. Figure out what you want."
"And Ashley?" MK whispered.
"I'll take care of her," Jesse promised.
"She's strong. She'll be fine."
MK nodded weakly.
"And… Shriya?" she asked without thinking.
Jesse's expression shifted — something between a sigh and a smirk.
"That," she said, "is a question you'll answer yourself."
MK stared at the airline ticket one last time.
Her hands tightened.