Three months had passed since Alexandria Bolivar first stepped through the doors of the company.
Three months of early mornings and late nights.
Three months of reports, meetings, negotiations, and proving over and over again that she deserved her place among the firm's best.
The whispers that had once followed her through the hallways had disappeared.
The Harvard graduate who had been viewed as the "new hire" had become one of the most reliable members of the team.
Alex had earned their respect.
"Ms. Bolivar, the Henderson file is complete."
"I'll review it before lunch," Alex replied, accepting the folder with a polite smile.
As soon as the employee walked away, another approached her desk.
"The client specifically requested you for next week's meeting."
Alex blinked.
"Me?"
"They said they appreciated your honesty during negotiations."
A small smile tugged at her lips.
"Thank you. I'll prepare for it."
As the employee left, Alex released a quiet breath.
Three years ago, she had been terrified, pregnant, and uncertain of what the future would look like.
Now, she was standing on her own two feet.
For herself.
For Yuto.
Her phone vibrated.
A photo notification appeared on the screen.
Asha had sent another picture.
Yuto sat at the dining table, cheeks puffed out in annoyance as vegetables rested untouched on his plate.
Asha: Your son is negotiating with me again. Apparently, broccoli is unacceptable.
Alex bit back a laugh.
Alex: Tell him superheroes eat vegetables too.
Asha: He said superheroes don't eat broccoli.
Shaking her head affectionately, Alex tucked her phone away.
"Mothers usually smile like that when they're looking at their children."
Her entire body stiffened.
Alex slowly looked up.
Yujiro stood beside her desk.
His expression remained neutral, but his sharp eyes lingered on her face.
She forced herself to remain composed.
"It was just a message from a friend."
He studied her for a moment.
Then—
"You've been doing excellent work."
The sudden compliment caught her off guard.
"Thank you, sir."
"You've exceeded expectations."
His tone was as calm as ever.
"You've gained the trust of both our employees and clients."
Alex lowered her gaze briefly.
"I only did my job."
"No," Yujiro said.
"You earned your place here."
The sincerity in his voice made her chest tighten.
Before she could respond, his assistant approached.
"Sir, the board meeting will begin in ten minutes."
Yujiro nodded.
His gaze returned to Alex.
"I'll expect your reports by this afternoon."
"I'll have them ready."
Without another word, he walked away.
Yet Alex couldn't ignore the strange feeling settling within her.
Three months.
In three months, Yujiro had remained professional.
Distant.
Controlled.
But she had noticed the small changes.
The way he sought her opinion during meetings.
The way he trusted her judgment.
The way his eyes occasionally lingered before he looked away.
As if he wanted to ask questions neither of them dared voice.
Meanwhile, inside the boardroom, Yujiro found himself distracted.
"Sir?"
A board member repeated the question.
Yujiro glanced toward the conference room windows overlooking the city below.
His thoughts drifted unexpectedly.
Alexandria Bolivar.
She never arrived late.
She never complained.
She accepted difficult assignments without hesitation.
She carried herself with quiet strength.
And sometimes...
when she thought no one was looking...
she smiled at messages on her phone.
The same gentle smile he had seen three years ago.
He frowned slightly.
Who was waiting for her at home?
Why did the thought bother him?
He didn't know.
Back at her desk, Alex finished reviewing the final report before glancing at the time.
Five-thirty.
She gathered her belongings quickly.
"I should go," she murmured.
Yuto hated sleeping before she got home.
As she stepped into the elevator, the doors almost closed before a hand stopped them.
Yujiro entered.
The small space suddenly felt too quiet.
Too intimate.
Neither spoke.
Until—
"You leave exactly at five-thirty every Friday."
Alex's breath caught.
"...Yes."
"You never stay later."
"I have responsibilities outside of work."
His gaze shifted toward her.
"What responsibilities?"
The question came out quieter than expected.
More personal than professional.
Alex hesitated before answering.
"My family needs me."
The elevator doors opened.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then Alex stepped out first.
"Have a good evening, Mr. Yujiro."
He watched her walk away.
"Ms. Bolivar."
She paused and turned.
"Yes?"
For the first time in months, Yujiro seemed uncertain.
"...Enjoy your weekend."
Surprise flickered across her features before a small smile appeared.
"You too."
He stood in the elevator long after the doors closed.
Unaware that only a few blocks away, a little boy with bright eyes and an infectious laugh waited excitedly by the window.
"Is Mama home yet?" Yuto asked.
Asha smiled.
"Soon."
Yuto pressed his tiny hands against the glass.
"I want to show Mama my drawing."
And fate, patient and unrelenting, continued weaving its threads.
Three months had passed.
The distance between Alexandria Bolivar and Yujiro had grown smaller.
Soon, the secret Alex had protected for years would no longer remain hidden.
And when that day came, none of their lives would ever be the same.
End of chapter 4