A few days passed.
Emily and Alexander spent more time together for public appearances.
Dinners.
Meetings.
Events.
Slowly their acting became natural.
Too natural.
One evening they were working late again.
Emily rubbed her eyes tiredly.
"I think I'm becoming addicted to coffee."
Alexander looked up from his laptop.
"You already were."
Emily laughed.
"That's true."
The office grew quiet.
After a moment Emily asked softly,
"Do you ever get tired?"
Alexander paused.
"Of what?"
"Running everything."
Alexander thought for a moment.
"Sometimes."
Emily looked at him.
"You don't have to do everything alone."
Alexander studied her carefully.
Then he said quietly,
"I know."
But the truth was—
For the first time in years…
He didn't feel alone.