THE AFTERMATH OF WAR
Emily had won.
James had won.
Margaret was gone.
Hayes Industries was theirs again.
But standing in her father’s old office, staring at the city skyline, Emily couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.
The glass reflected her image back at her—a woman who had fought, bled, and sacrificed. But now that the war was over, she didn’t recognize herself anymore.
She should have felt relieved.
She should have felt victorious.
Instead, she felt adrift.
A warm hand touched her lower back.
She didn’t need to turn to know who it was.
James.
His presence behind her was steady, grounding. The only thing in her world that felt real.
He leaned in slightly, his voice low, careful.
"You okay?"
Emily exhaled.
"I don’t know."
James’s hand tightened slightly
