The city hadn't changed.
Same honking cars, same gossiping crowds, same blinking billboards reminding everyone to "Work Smart, Not Hard."
But for Karen, everything was different now.
She stood just outside the tall glass of Knight's media group, the familiar office where it had all started. Where her life had felt ordinary, before Avalon, before Alex.
Now, nothing about her felt ordinary anymore.
She adjusted her bag on her shoulder, nerves buzzing beneath her calm exterior. Her name badge glinted in the sunlight, the one thing that still tied her to this version of herself.
Behind her, Alex stepped out of the black car, suited, calm, unreadable. The CEO mask was back on.
But when his eyes met hers?
Softness, subtle just for her.
"You okay?" he asked, voice low enough that no one else could hear.
Karen nodded. "As okay as someone walking into a place where half the staff thinks she ran off to vacation with the boss."
Alex's lips twitched. "Let them think what they want."
Luca stepped out from the driver's seat, tugging at his tie, already annoyed at being back in civilization. "Just say the word if someone gives you trouble. I've got time to handle idiots."
Karen laughed...genuinely and whispered, "Don't scare the interns."
They walked in together.
As soon as they stepped through the lobby, the change was immediate.
Heads turned, whispers flared. Karen didn't need to hear them to know what was being said.
"She's back?"
"With him?"
"Wait… weren't they both gone for days?"
"What happened at that retreat?"
The curious staff murmured but not loud enough to get to the CEO's ear.
She held her head high, shoulders straight.
Let them stare.
She wasn't the same girl who nervously carried coffee trays and said "sorry" too much.
She was Karen Wright.
She was a survivor and a fighter.
And maybe something even more dangerous now, aware.
In the elevator, it was just her and Alex.
Silence stretched.
Then he leaned close, his voice barely above a whisper.
"You handled everything better than anyone I know."
Karen looked up at him. "You were with me, that helped."
Their eyes locked.
The elevator dinged.
The doors opened… but neither moved.
Alex's hand brushed hers, a silent, electric touch and Karen felt that flutter again.
The one she hadn't allowed herself to feel before Avalon.
"See you in the meeting," he said, stepping out first like nothing happened.
Karen exhaled, lips curving.
Let the world spin.
She wasn't just back.
She was becoming something more.