CHAPTER 38: A Dance with Danger

　　Victoria's POV

　　The Sterling Developments building loomed before me, its sleek, glass facade reflecting the morning sun. It was a place I'd sworn never to step foot in again—a monument of betrayal and loss. But here I was, heart pounding, ready to wade into the lion's den for the sake of a future I could build.

　　The air inside was as sterile and cold as I remembered, the faint hum of activity and the rhythmic clack of heels on polished floors doing little to settle my nerves. I straightened my blazer and walked briskly to the elevators, doing my best to look like I belonged.

　　Ethan was a creature of habit, and his habits were my armor. I knew his weekly schedule like the back of my hand. Wednesdays were his "out days," reserved for networking meetings, golf, or whatever else kept him away from the office. Today should was a safe day for me to do my thing.