Daniel wasn't planning to visit her office.
He had a meeting nearby and decided to quickly drop off some documents for a mutual client. It was supposed to be a five-minute stop.
Nothing more.
But the moment he stepped into the reception area, something pulled his attention toward the open workspace.
He saw her.
Amara sat at her desk, laughing.
Not the polite smile she used with strangers.
A real laugh.
And she wasn't alone.
The man standing beside her leaned slightly against the desk, speaking casually, as if they had known each other for years. Amara responded easily, her body language relaxed.
Daniel froze.
He couldn't remember the last time she looked that comfortable around him.
A tight feeling formed in his chest.
He walked slowly toward them before he could stop himself.
Ethan noticed him first. "Hi, can I help you?"
Daniel's voice came out colder than he intended. "I'm looking for Amara."
She looked up, surprised. "Daniel?"
Her smile faded slightly, replaced by confusion.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"I was in the area," he replied.
Ethan straightened. "I'm Ethan."
Daniel nodded briefly but didn't offer his hand. "Daniel."
The air felt tense.
Ethan glanced between them, sensing something unspoken. "I'll give you two a moment," he said politely before stepping away.
Daniel watched him leave.
Then he turned back to Amara.
"Who is he?"
"A colleague," she replied calmly.
"You seemed… comfortable."
She raised an eyebrow. "We were talking."
"You were laughing."
"And?"
He hesitated. "Nothing."
But his expression betrayed him.
Jealousy.
Clear and undeniable.
Amara noticed.
And something inside her shifted.
Amara leaned back slightly. "You don't get to question me."
"I wasn't—"
"You're getting married, Daniel."
The reminder hit him again.
He exhaled slowly. "I know."
The reminder silenced him.
For the first time, Daniel realized something he hadn't before.
He didn't like the idea of someone else making her smile.
And that scared him.
Because it meant…
He might already be losing her.
She crossed her arms. "Then act like it."
He looked frustrated. "I just… I didn't expect it.
"What?" she asked.
"To see you… moving on."
The honesty surprised them both.
Amara's expression softened slightly, but she quickly regained composure. "You should be happy for me."
"I am."
But he didn't sound convinced.
Silence stretched between them.
Finally, she spoke again. "Did you need something?"
He handed her the documents. "These."
She took them. "Thank you."
He nodded but didn't move immediately.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Ethan returned. "Everything okay?"
Amara smiled politely. "Yes."
Daniel looked at him again, the uncomfortable feeling returning.
"I should go," he said.
"Okay," Amara replied softly.
As he walked away, he glanced back once.
She was already talking to Ethan again.
And laughing.
Something twisted painfully inside him.