CHAPTER 13: THE WALK BACK

The morning air was cold, but the sun was finally shining.

I stood outside Navarro Headquarters with Aidan by my side. He was still healing, a bit pale, but stronger than yesterday. He wore a clean shirt and walked without help, even though I could see the pain in his eyes. Pain from the past few days. Pain from what my father did.

But he was here.

And so was I.

It was time.

I looked up at the tall glass building. Navarro. My family's company. My company.

For years, I let my father run it. I stayed quiet. Out of the spotlight. Out of the way.

But not anymore.

Aidan touched my hand. "Are you ready?"

I nodded. "More than ever."

We walked through the front doors.

The lobby was wide and filled with light, all polished floors and sharp corners. People turned as we stepped in. Some gasped. Some froze.

I saw fear in their eyes.

Not because of Aidan.

Because of me.

They thought I was gone. Broken. They thought I'd disappear after what my father did.

But I wasn't broken.

I was back.

And I was done being quiet.

The receptionist stood up quickly. Her voice shook. "Ms. Navarro—um—I didn't know you were coming in today—"

"I don't need to announce myself," I said. Calm. Clear. "This is my building."

Her mouth opened, then closed. She nodded.

I didn't stop. I walked straight to the elevator with Aidan beside me.

The doors closed.

It was silent for a moment.

Then Aidan smiled, just a little. "That was dramatic."

"I've got more planned," I said. And I meant it.

When the elevator opened again, we stepped onto the top floor—Executive Level. The space smelled like rich wood and cold steel. The people here were the ones who whispered behind my back, who followed my father's orders without question.

But now he was gone.

And I was here.

They saw me and stopped talking. A few stood. One of the board members, Mr. Ellis, walked forward. Tall, gray-haired, always wore perfect suits.

"Sophie," he said, his voice tight. "We didn't expect—"

"No, you didn't," I cut in. "Because you didn't think I'd come back."

His eyes flicked to Aidan, then back to me. "This isn't really a good time. We have meetings. Numbers to review. Investors—"

"Cancel them," I said. "I'm taking the boardroom."

"You can't just—"

"I can," I said, louder now. "Because I'm not just some girl you once called 'kid.' I'm not someone you ignore while the men talk."

I stepped closer.

"I'm Sophie Navarro. And this company is mine."

I held up the papers I had brought. Signed legal documents. Proof of ownership. Of rights. The real power.

"After my father's arrest, control returned to me. The shares, the vote, everything. I'm majority owner. And I'm taking back what was mine from the beginning."

No one spoke.

No one moved.

Then I opened the doors to the boardroom.

"Everyone in," I said.

And they followed.

One by one, they sat at the long glass table. I stood at the head of it. Aidan stayed beside the door, watching everything.

"I know some of you feel loyal to my father," I began. "He built a version of this company that worked for him. That protected him. That hid things."

I looked around the table, locking eyes with each one.

"That time is over."

Someone coughed lightly. A woman near the end—Carly Finch. Young but sharp. I always liked her, even when we didn't talk much.

"You said you're taking over," she said. "What does that mean for us?"

"It means no more lies. No more threats behind closed doors. No more fear." I paused. "Some of you helped my father kidnap an innocent man. Some of you knew. Some of you stayed silent."

A ripple of guilt moved through the room.

I kept going.

"You're lucky I'm not clearing the whole floor. But I believe in second chances. If you're here to work, to rebuild, to do the right thing—you can stay. If not, there's the door."

No one moved.

But their eyes were wide now. Awake.

"Let me make something clear," I said. "You don't have to be scared of me. But you will respect me. I earned this seat. I earned this power. And I will protect what's mine."

I looked toward Aidan.

"He's with me. He's part of this now. Anyone who tries to go behind my back, or his, will be gone before lunch."

Mr. Ellis cleared his throat. "You're threatening us?"

"No," I said. "I'm warning you. This is your clean slate. Don't waste it."

Silence filled the room again.

And then, slowly, Carly stood up.

"I'm in," she said. "We need change. You're it."

One by one, others nodded.

Even Ellis leaned back in his chair, quiet but no longer fighting.

The room shifted.

I sat down at the head of the table.

And for the first time in years… it felt right.

---

After the meeting, I walked back through the office with Aidan. People moved aside as we passed, watching us like they didn't know what to think.

Let them wonder.

Let them talk.

I was done hiding.

"You were amazing," Aidan said quietly.

I looked at him. "I just told the truth."

"Sometimes that's the hardest thing to do."

We stepped into my father's old office.

It smelled like cologne and old leather. Cold and lifeless.

I walked to the window, looking out over the city.

Then I turned back and opened the drawer of the desk.

Inside, I found it—an old photo. Me and my father, years ago. I was little, smiling. He looked proud.

But it was a mask.

I set the photo face down.

"I'm not him," I said.

Aidan nodded. "No. You're better."

He reached out and took my hand.

"Whatever happens next," he said, "you're not alone."

I held his hand tighter.

"No," I said. "Neither are you."

---

Later that day, the Navarro website updated.

A new photo.

A new name.

CEO: Sophie Navarro

And under it, a message:

> "A new chapter begins. With honesty. With strength. With the truth."

No more secrets.

No more fear.

Just the future.

And I was finally ready to face it.