The late afternoon sunlight filtered softly through the tall windows of Aiden's office, casting warm, golden streaks across the polished floors. Papers were neatly stacked on his desk, though Mia noticed the faint smudges where he had run his fingers over them in thought. Aiden was at the window, staring out at the city with an unusual stillness, and Mia quietly stepped inside, clutching a small notebook she had been updating for him.
"Hey," she said softly, trying to sound cheerful.
Aiden turned, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Hey," he replied. "Thanks for coming in. I wanted to go over the weekly reports with you before the board meeting tomorrow."
Mia nodded, setting the notebook down. But even as she focused on the reports, her mind kept drifting. She thought of Dallas, of the half-million he had transferred to her account, and of the confidential files she was supposed to steal. Her chest tightened with guilt. She had made the deal to save her mother, but now, being in Aiden's office, seeing him so trusting, the task felt almost impossible.
Aiden noticed her distraction, though he didn't comment. He had begun to see glimpses of the woman behind the composed exterior—the one who cared deeply, who worked tirelessly, and who carried burdens quietly.
"You've been quiet lately," he said casually, leaning back in his chair. "I know something's on your mind, Mia. I can tell."
Mia blinked, her throat tightening. She forced a large, fake smile, the kind that hid fear, guilt, and worry behind a cheerful mask. "I'm fine," she said lightly. "Just… tired, I guess. You know, all the work."
Aiden raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "You've been saying that a lot lately." His tone was soft but persistent. "I trust you, Mia. You don't have to hide things from me. You know that, right?"
The weight of his words pressed down on her. She did know it. And that was what made her next thoughts so unbearable. How could she betray his trust? How could she take the files she had promised Dallas and risk destroying the fragile bond growing between them?
"I… I know," she murmured, trying to keep her voice steady. "And I… I appreciate that. I really do."
Aiden's expression softened. "You've been helping me a lot lately," he said quietly. "More than you realize. I don't just mean the work. I mean… having someone I can count on, someone who understands."
Mia felt a pang in her chest, the kind that made her stomach twist. She wanted to tell him the truth about the debt, about the files, about Dallas but the words would betray her mother and put everything at risk. Instead, she swallowed hard and nodded, keeping her fake smile firmly in place.
"Thank you," she said softly. "That means a lot."
Aiden smiled back, and for a moment, the tension in the room eased. He gestured toward the papers on his desk. "Come on, let's go through these together. I need your opinion on the projections for the new project."
Mia followed him to the desk, trying to focus on the work, on the numbers and reports, but the guilt gnawed at her relentlessly. Each chart, each decision they discussed, reminded her of the task she was meant to perform stealing files that could damage his company, the very man who had begun trusting her completely.
As they worked, Aiden occasionally glanced at her, noting subtle signs she tried to conceal: a flicker of hesitation in her eyes, a faint tremor in her fingers as she passed him documents. He didn't push. Instead, he let her be, letting her feel safe enough to continue while he observed quietly, his trust in her growing stronger with every small interaction.
At one point, Aiden leaned back and let out a small sigh. "You know, Mia," he said, his tone gentle, "I wasn't sure at first. But seeing how responsible and careful you are… it's reassuring. I trust you. And it's not just about the work. I trust your judgment."
Mia's throat tightened again. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as she forced herself to smile, hiding the storm of guilt inside her. He trusts me… and I'm going to betray him, she thought bitterly. For my mother. I have no choice.
She nodded, keeping her voice light. "I'll… I'll do my best. Always."
Aiden's eyes softened, and he reached over briefly to adjust a stack of papers. "I know you will. That's why I rely on you."
The brief touch, casual but intimate in its trust, made Mia flinch inwardly. She wanted to tell him everything, to confess and beg for forgiveness before she even started. But she couldn't. Not yet. Her mother's life depended on the money, and there was no other way.
They continued reviewing the reports, and Aiden began to speak more openly, sharing thoughts about company strategy, his concerns about upcoming meetings, and even small personal stories he rarely mentioned. He laughed softly at a memory from his first day as CEO, and Mia felt a warm pull of admiration and affection for him.
But each laugh, each moment of shared trust, only deepened the ache in her chest. How could she smile alongside him, work with him, and pretend nothing was wrong when she knew she was about to commit a betrayal?
She excused herself briefly to grab a glass of water, her hands shaking slightly. She tried to steady her breathing, to force herself to focus on the mundane act of drinking, but her mind was filled with Dallas, the money, and the file she would have to steal.
When she returned to the desk, Aiden looked up, noticing the subtle change in her demeanor. He studied her for a moment, his sharp intuition catching the slight tension in her shoulders, the way her gaze flickered away when he looked too closely.
"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked gently, leaning forward, concern evident in his voice.
Mia plastered on a brighter smile than before. "I'm fine," she said quickly. "Really. Just a little distracted, I guess. Work is… intense today."
Aiden frowned slightly but didn't push further. He had learned to trust her judgment, to recognize when she needed space, and he respected it. But in the quiet corners of his mind, a small seed of doubt took root something about her had changed, something he couldn't yet name.
The rest of the afternoon passed in careful balance. Aiden continued to confide in her in small ways, sharing thoughts he usually reserved for himself, while Mia listened and responded, all the while keeping her inner turmoil tightly sealed behind a polished smile.
By the time the sun dipped lower, casting longer shadows across the office, Mia felt a mixture of exhaustion and guilt. She had maintained the façade, kept the trust intact, and yet the knowledge of the betrayal she was planning weighed on her like a stone in her chest.
Aiden stood, stretching slightly. "Thank you, Mia," he said quietly, his eyes locking with hers. "I know I can trust you, and… it means a lot to me."
Mia forced a nod, holding onto the smile that now felt more like armor than expression. "Thank you, Aiden. That… that means a lot to me too."
As she left the study, her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions oyalty, guilt, fear, and a strange, confusing affection she didn't fully understand. She knew the next steps she would have to take were dangerous, morally gray, and potentially devastating. And yet, in the quiet corners of her heart, she felt an unbearable pull toward the very man she was about to betray.
For now, she carried the secret alone, smiling, nodding, and appearing cheerful. But the storm of deception, temptation, and desperate love was only beginning to gather its strength.