Arizona giggled softly as she read the note Ethan left her, her fingers gently tracing the edges of the paper. A warm glow spread through her as she recalled the previous night. It wasn't just about the physical closeness; it was the safety Ethan provided, a rare comfort she hadn't felt in years. With him, the walls she had built around herself fell away. Where her father was stern and controlling, Ethan was gentle and understanding.
Her father's love had always been conditional, governed by authority and expectations. In contrast, Ethan's strength lay in his openness, his ability to share his vulnerabilities without judgment. He offered her the peace her father never could, a freedom that allowed her to be herself without fear. Arizona smiled as she wiped her face, the warmth of last night still lingering. With a deep breath, she refocused, moving purposefully. She washed her face, brushed her hair into a sleek ponytail, and dressed quickly in a crisp blouse and fitted black pants. Adjusting her belt and grabbing her coat, she prepared for the day ahead, her mind already shifting gears.

Arizona glanced at herself in the mirror one last time, her expression resolute. With a final deep breath, she grabbed her bag and stepped out the door, the cool morning air brushing against her skin. The docks awaited her, and the weight of the day pressed gently at the back of her mind, calling her into focus.

As she approached the office, she noticed a silhouette standing near the door, backlit by the rising sun. The figure was still, almost statuesque, and Arizona squinted, trying to make out who it was. With each step closer, the shape became more familiar—the straight posture, the elegance in the way she stood.

As Arizona drew closer, the unmistakable features of Lidia came into sharper focus. Her neatly tied hair, the tailored coat that draped effortlessly over her slender frame, and the distant intensity in her eyes sent a ripple of unease through Arizona. She noticed Lidia shifting her weight, her foot tapping restlessly against the ground.

"Good morning," Arizona greeted softly, her voice steady despite the tension crackling in the air. Lidia turned to face her, offering a strained smile. "Hi, Arizona," she replied, her voice tight, betraying the redness around her eyes.

"Are you alright?" Arizona asked, her concern genuine as she fumbled for the key to the office. She sensed that something was amiss beneath Lidia's composed exterior.

"Yes, darling," Lidia responded, her tone forced. Arizona noted the cracks in Lidia's facade—the strained kindness, the rigid posture. The truth of Ethan's words—*I love Arizona*—hung unspoken between them, a silent wound neither wanted to touch.

Arizona nodded, sensing the thickening tension. "Why don't you come inside?" she suggested, her voice calm but measured.

"No, please," Lidia quickly shook her head, her gaze flickering away. "I came to discuss our plans," she said, her voice dropping to a near whisper, betraying her struggle to maintain composure.

Arizona hesitated, sensing the need for privacy. "How about a tour of the docks while we talk?" she proposed, offering Lidia an escape from the office's confines. Lidia nodded, a flicker of relief crossing her face as they began to walk.

As they moved side by side, the unspoken tension between them was palpable. Arizona's jealousy from earlier felt childish now, a fleeting thought overshadowed by the weight of the present moment. Her trust in Ethan had eclipsed her previous doubts.

The silence between them stretched until Lidia finally spoke, her voice taut. "How are you planning to do it?"

Arizona's eyes sparked with determination. "I can't take the ledger," she explained. "My father always keeps it with him. But I don't need the whole thing."

Lidia's curiosity was piqued. "What do you mean?"

"I just need the names," Arizona said, her eyes glinting with purpose. "My father leaves the ledger on his desk when he checks the docks. I'll copy the names little by little until I have them all."

Lidia's alertness showed she recognized the plan's brilliance. "That's... actually really good."

Arizona, fiddling with the edge of her coat, turned to Lidia with earnest eyes. "I want to thank you. For all of this."

The sincerity in Arizona's voice caught Lidia off guard. For a moment, rage swelled within her. Arizona's politeness felt like a mockery, a facade that only deepened Lidia's bitterness.

"I'm not doing it for you," Lidia snapped, her voice quivering. "I think you're a spoiled girl who doesn't understand our lives." Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. "But Ethan trusts you, and that's why I'm doing this. For him."

The raw emotion in Lidia's voice hung between them, and Arizona could only absorb the weight of the moment. Neither woman trusted the other, and the tension was thick. Arizona felt a wave of responsibility and replied, "It's true, I've lived a privileged life. But that doesn't mean I'll stand by and watch this mess unfold," she added, gesturing toward the dockworkers.

Lidia's expression remained unchanged. Her sharp gaze narrowed as she retorted, "I hope you're right. It would be disappointing otherwise."

Arizona caught the edge in Lidia's words. "What do you mean?"

Lidia's voice dropped to a near whisper, laced with resentment. "How long until your world breaks Ethan? Until it becomes too much for him?"

The words struck hard, but Arizona met Lidia's gaze with calm resolve. "Ethan is free to make his own choices. It's up to him to decide what's right for him."

The silence that followed was thick with unresolved tension. Both women stood firm, protective of Ethan in their own ways. Arizona saw hope—a future where Ethan was free from his past. But Lidia saw a threat, a painful reminder of her own shortcomings.

As Lidia's thoughts raced back to Ethan's words and his affection for Arizona, she begrudgingly acknowledged why Ethan had fallen for her. Arizona's qualities—confidence, freedom, ease—were traits Lidia had never possessed and now envied. Yet, despite her jealousy, Lidia reminded herself of her purpose. If helping Ethan meant dealing with Arizona, so be it.

"I'm doing this for him," Lidia said, her voice calmer but heavy with unspoken emotion. "That's all that matters."

Arizona nodded, recognizing the complexities beneath Lidia's words. They might never trust each other, but their shared goal was clear: Ethan's future depended on their cooperation.

"You'll let me know when you have the names?" Lidia asked, her voice clipped as she turned to leave.

"Sure," Arizona replied, watching as Lidia gave a curt nod and walked away, her figure slowly disappearing into the busy docks. Just before leaving, Lidia cast a final glance at the bustling workers, her eyes lingering on the stakes involved.

Arizona remained where she stood, her gaze shifting to the sea as the wind carried the salty scent of the water. She breathed deeply, feeling the weight of their mission settle in. The plan was now in motion, and there was no turning back.

Ethan. Lidia. The plan. It was all in motion now, and there was no turning back.

Her mind flickered to Ethan, the man who had tied them all together. She felt her heart tug at the thought of him—the warmth and safety he provided her, the way he understood her like no one else ever had. But it wasn't just about their connection. Ethan deserved a life free of the chains his past had wrapped around him, and Arizona knew that as much as she loved him, she couldn't be the only answer to his freedom. He had to choose it for himself.

And then there was Lidia. Arizona didn't quite understand her, but she could sense the jealousy and resentment radiating off her. Yet, beneath that, there was something else—a fierce loyalty to Ethan that Arizona could respect, even if she couldn't fully trust it. Lidia's pain was palpable, and Arizona knew that working with her would never be easy. But they were bound by the same mission now, and that was enough for today.

The plan itself was risky—Arizona's father was sharp, powerful, and dangerous. But for the first time, she didn't feel fear. She felt purpose. She had her role to play, and though the path ahead was fraught with danger, there was no room for doubt. The names were their way forward, the key to unraveling the mess that had ensnared them all.

As Arizona turned back toward the office, her steps felt heavier, yet filled with a new sense of resolve. The wind tugged at her coat as she moved, her mind settling into focus. She knew this was only the beginning—getting those names would just be the first step in a long, uncertain journey. But from this moment, there was no stopping the plan.

She reached the office door, her hand hesitating on the handle for just a brief second. Then, with a determined push, she opened it and stepped inside. Whatever came next, Arizona knew one thing for certain: the plan was in motion, and there was no turning back.