He Almost Said I Love You

The morning sun crept through the blinds of Ava's small apartment, casting pale stripes across the kitchen floor. She stood at the counter, stirring her coffee absentmindedly, her mind nowhere near caffeine or breakfast.

Her phone buzzed for the fifth time.

Ethan.

She didn't open the message. She couldn't. Not after the kiss. Not after hearing him downplay it. And definitely not after Claudia's warning—sharp as broken glass.

She glanced at the time. She needed to get to work. The last thing she needed was to fall apart in front of everyone, especially him.

---

Cole Dynamics, 9:02 AM

Ava arrived early, hoping to avoid any run-ins. She headed straight to the marketing floor, nodding politely to passing colleagues while her heart carried the weight of a thousand unsaid things.

"Big day today," her assistant, Maya, chirped. "Everyone's buzzing about the gala aftermath and the merger pitch."

Ava forced a smile. "Let's keep our heads down and focus."

But the calm didn't last long.

Because at 9:15 AM, Ethan Cole walked into the room.

---

He didn't say a word at first—just stood in the doorway of the meeting room she was preparing, his gaze locked on hers like the night hadn't ended.

The rest of the team quickly filed out, sensing the tension like a storm about to break.

"Ethan—Mr. Cole—this isn't the time," she said firmly, eyes on her laptop.

He didn't care. "We need to talk."

"There's nothing left to say."

He took a step closer. "You kissed me back."

She flinched. "And you made it clear what that meant—nothing."

"That's not true." His voice dropped. "You have no idea what I've been fighting."

She looked up then, fury flashing in her eyes. "I'm not something you battle with, Ethan. I'm not a problem to solve or a past to bury."

Silence.

Then, softer—raw: "You still don't get it. I had to walk away once… and now you're asking me to risk everything again."

He closed the distance between them in two strides. "I never stopped—"

The words caught in his throat. I never stopped loving you.

But they didn't come.

He just stared at her, lips parting—then closing again.

Ava turned away before he could gather the courage.

---

Later That Day

As Ava stood by the window in the breakroom, a silent tear slipping down her cheek, she barely noticed Victoria watching from the hallway—arms folded, a sly smile playing on her lips.

This wasn't over.

Not for Ava.

Not for Ethan.

And certainly not for the enemies rooting for their fall.

Cole Estate – That Evening

Ethan sat in the living room of his family's estate, shoulders tense, fingers steepled in front of him as Eleanor Cole eyed him from her elegant wingback chair.

"Let me guess," she said, sipping her tea slowly. "You saw her again."

Ethan didn't answer.

"Still so quiet, just like your grandfather when he was pretending his heart wasn't on fire," she added, setting her teacup down. "I saw the gala photos. That wasn't a man in control, Ethan."

Juliana entered the room just in time to hear that. "I told you," she said, flopping onto the couch. "He's not as cold as he pretends to be. You're spiraling again, and I bet it's because of Ava."

Ethan sighed. "This isn't something I want to discuss right now."

"No, it's something you need to discuss," Eleanor said sharply. "Because if Claudia keeps running this household like a chessboard, you're going to end up married to someone you don't love while the woman who owns your heart walks out of your life again."

He looked up then. Pain etched deep in his gaze. "She heard me say something I didn't mean. I let her believe… I let her walk away."

"Then fix it," Juliana said simply.

Eleanor added, "You're the CEO, Ethan. You don't just fight boardroom battles. You fight for what matters. You're smart—start acting like it."

---

The Next Morning – Cole Dynamics

Ava barely stepped into the elevator when she heard the voice behind her.

"Hold the doors."

She froze.

Ethan.

They stood in silence as the elevator ascended. The tension between them buzzed louder than the hum of machinery.

"I asked to be transferred," she finally said. "To a different department."

Ethan's jaw clenched. "You're not leaving the team."

"Why? Because I'm useful in your strategy meetings? Or because you still want something you can't name?"

He turned to her. "I want you to stay because I can't seem to let you go."

A beat.

Meanwhile – Claudia's Private Lounge

Claudia Cole swirled the champagne in her glass, her sharp eyes locked on the tablet in front of her, displaying stills from the gala.

Ava. In that dress. At their event.

She zoomed in on one photo—Ethan's gaze unmistakably fixed on Ava across the room.

"Still pining after a woman who ruined him once," she muttered. "Foolish boy."

Victoria sat quietly across from her, legs crossed, a tight smile on her face. "I assume the backup plan is still in place?"

Claudia nodded. "His grandmother may adore Ava, but Eleanor doesn't control the board. I do. And once the engagement to you is public…"

She trailed off.

Victoria tilted her head. "What if he pushes back?"

Claudia's smile was slow and razor-edged. "Then we'll remind him what's at stake. Starting with her."

She tapped the screen. The image of Ava's face stared back.

"Everyone breaks when the right pressure is applied."

"And maybe I don't want to anymore."

She stared at him, breath catching.

The elevator doors opened. But neither of them moved.