The sharp bite of the autumn wind tugged at Julian’s coat as he stepped out of his car. The park was quiet, far removed from the cutthroat boardrooms and opulent ballrooms that had become his battleground. It was Eva’s choice for their meeting, and its simplicity seemed at odds with everything she used to represent.
His gaze found her immediately. She sat stiffly on a weathered bench beneath an ancient oak, her silhouette framed by the golden hue of falling leaves. The confident, polished veneer she once wore like armor was gone, replaced by a fragile, almost timid presence.
Julian’s steps were deliberate, crunching over the gravel path, but he didn’t slow. By the time he reached her, she was already on her feet, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.
“Julian,” she began, her voice
