Chapter 1

Three years ago, I walked out on my best friend and my boyfriend laughing in each other's arms.

I flew to Europe. Built a career from scratch.

Three years later, half the top firms back home are fighting to hire me.

My plane just touched down. I pop my old SIM card back in.

My phone lights up with a FaceTime call. Chelsea Dawson. My ex-best friend.

She squeals the second I pick up.

"Nora! Oh my God, finally! You vanished three years ago, no goodbye, nothing. Grayson and I have been going crazy looking for you!"

A familiar face leans into the frame.

"Nora, come on. It was one little flash drive. Chelsea already said she'd redo the whole project for you. What more do you want?"

"Honestly, with her level of experience helping you? You're the one who came out ahead."

Chelsea giggles and smacks his shoulder.

"Stop it! We said no teasing Nora about her job. You keep it up, I'm dropping you as my lunch buddy this whole week!"

Her eyes sparkle.

"Nora, guess what? Grayson and I both got hired at Titan Group! Say congrats!"

Grayson taps her forehead.

"Titan's top of the industry, babe. Nora's a rookie. She probably doesn't even know what a big deal it is. Why bother telling her?"

I smile. Quiet. Small.

Funny thing.

The company I'm about to run as its CEO?

——Titan Group.

---

Chelsea covers her head, pouting.

"How many times do I have to tell you? Stop hitting my head!"

"What if you get dumber? Nobody's gonna want you," Grayson laughs.

"Excuse me? I was always this smart. Don't blame it on you!"

I watch them go back and forth.

Same routine. Three years ago, this was every day.

Back then, watching this felt like a thorn twisting in my chest.

Now? I just smile. Polite. Distant.

"I've got things to do. Hanging up."

Chelsea freezes for a beat. Then plasters the smile back on.

"Wait, don't hang up! Nora, you just got back into town, right? Let us take you to dinner. Welcome home!"

Grayson jumps in. "Yeah. Let's do it at Titan. You should see the private dining room there. Some little startup you work at? Trust me, you've never seen anything like it."

Chelsea gasps and shoves his arm.

"Grayson! Nora probably doesn't even have a job yet. Don't rub it in!"

She turns back to the camera, voice all sugar.

"Nora, sweetie, if you're between jobs, I can pull some strings for you. Get you a front-desk gig at Titan. Easy work. You could probably handle it just fine."

Grayson frowns. "Titan's cutthroat, babe. You throw a random referral in there, it screws up your probation review."

Chelsea nods fast. "You're right. God, I just want to help my girl."

"Three years, and Nora's only pointing the camera at the airport ceiling. She's probably even chunkier and frumpier than before. Doesn't want us seeing her looking rough."

"And if it costs me my full-time offer? Ugh. That would be a disaster."

My phone buzzes.

A message from Vivian Reed, the Chairman's executive assistant:

"Ms. Blake, your car is waiting outside Terminal 3, Exit B. Plate ends in 888."

I look up. Back at the two of them, still cuddled up on screen.

The corners of my mouth lift.

"I don't need the job. Or the dinner."

"Titan's dining room? I'll try it myself."

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