The boardroom of the large corporation was bathed in light streaming through tall windows, reflecting off the polished marble floor. At the center, a long dark-wood table was cluttered with laptops, documents, and glasses of water. Executives sat neatly, waiting for the meeting to begin.

Vania stepped inside, carrying the project files she was handling as a consultant. Her heart rate quickened slightly as her eyes fell on two figures whose presence instantly charged the room: Devandra and Arga.

They sat on opposite sides of the long table, their gazes meeting for a brief, sharp moment—loaded with unspoken history and weighty meaning.

Vania swallowed and tried to calm herself. Stay...