The Cost
The offer comes quietly.
No press release. No announcement.
Just a sealed envelope slid across Elliot's desk by his board chair, expression neutral but eyes sharp.
"Step back," she says. "Publicly. Permanently."
Elliot doesn't open it until he's alone.
Inside: terms. Numbers. Exit strategies dressed up as concern.
The message is clear.
Choose stability—or choose her.
I find out two days later, not from him—but from Maya.
"They're circling," she says over coffee, voice low. "Blackwood's board. They think you're leverage."
My chest tightens. "I never wanted to be."
"I know," she says gently. "But power attracts pressure."
That night, Elliot doesn't come over.
He sends a message instead.
Elliot: We need to talk. Not by phone.
His penthouse is darker than usual when I arrive. City lights spill in, cold and distant.
He doesn't waste time.
"They offered me an exit," he says.
I freeze. "An exit?"
"A graceful one," he replies. "Step back from daily operations. Retain ownership. Become… quieter."
"And this is because of me."
"Yes."
The honesty hurts more than deflection ever could.
I take a breath. "What did you say?"
"I asked for time."
I nod slowly. "Okay."
"That's it?" he asks. "No argument?"
"What argument would you like?" I say softly. "You didn't ask to be put in this position."
"And you didn't ask to be used as justification," he says.
Silence stretches.
I walk to the windows, staring out at the city. "If you take it, I won't resent you."
He steps closer. "If I don't, this gets uglier. For you."
I turn to face him. "Then listen carefully."
He stills.
"I will not be the reason you give up your life's work," I say. "And I will not be the reason you cling to it."
His eyes darken. "You're asking me to choose alone."
"No," I say. "I'm refusing to choose for you."
The weight of it settles between us.
He exhales slowly. "I don't know how to do this without control."
I step closer, taking his hands. "Then learn."
For the first time since I've known him, Elliot Blackwood looks uncertain.
Not weak.
Human.
Two days later, the decision goes public.
Blackwood Industries Announces Leadership Restructure
Elliot remains majority owner—but steps back from the CEO role.
The press spins it as strategic.
The board calls it stability.
Elliot calls me.
"I did it," he says simply.
My throat tightens. "Are you okay?"
A pause.
"I don't know yet," he admits. "But I know why."
We meet that evening somewhere neutral. No power. No glass walls.
Just a quiet restaurant and two people trying to redefine themselves.
"This changes things," I say.
"Yes," he agrees. "But it also frees them."
"For us?" I ask.
"For me," he corrects. "For the first time."
I smile sadly. "That's a lot to carry."
He reaches across the table. "Only if I carry it alone."
I lace my fingers with his. "Then don't."