The merger deal between Thorne Industries and Everhart Enterprises was becoming more complicated than Evelyn anticipated. Augustus had insisted on taking a hands-on approach, involving himself in every detail, which meant more meetings, more tension, and more time in his infuriating company. 

--- 

Evelyn entered Thorne Industries' sleek boardroom that morning, a vision of elegance in her tailored navy dress and nude heels. Her assistant, Mia, walked beside her, carrying a stack of documents. 

The room was filled with key executives from both companies, but Evelyn's attention zeroed in on Augustus. He was seated at the head of the table, his sharp suit emphasizing his commanding presence. His piercing blue eyes met hers briefly before returning to the papers in front of him. 

“Thank you all for being here,” Augustus began, his voice calm but authoritative. “Let’s review the updated financial projections for the merger.” 

As the meeting progressed, Evelyn was struck by how different Augustus seemed in a professional setting. He was decisive, strategic, and almost magnetic in the way he commanded the room. 

But his coldness toward her was ever-present. 

When Evelyn raised a concern about the merger potentially disadvantaging her smaller subsidiaries, Augustus barely acknowledged her point. 

“We can address that in the next phase,” he said dismissively. 

Her jaw tightened, but she kept her composure. “With all due respect, Augustus, it’s better to address these concerns now rather than later.” 

He finally looked at her, his gaze sharp. “Noted. But let’s stay on track.” 

The tension between them was palpable, and Evelyn could feel the eyes of their colleagues darting between them. Still, she refused to back down. 

--- 

After the meeting, Evelyn returned to her office at Everhart Enterprises. She was still fuming from Augustus’s dismissive attitude when her phone buzzed. 

She glanced at the screen and saw a familiar name: Justin. 

Her heart skipped a beat. It had been years since they last spoke, but the memory of him was as vivid as ever. 

She hesitated before answering. “Hello?” 

“Evelyn,” his voice came through, warm and familiar. “It’s been too long.” 

A smile crept onto her face despite herself. “Justin! This is a surprise.” 

“I was going through some old things and found a picture of us,” he said. “It made me wonder how you’ve been.” 

“I’m… managing,” she replied, her tone guarded. 

They spoke for a while, catching up on their lives. Justin had finished his studies abroad and was now working in New York. He sounded the same—charming, kind, and genuine. 

When the call ended, Evelyn felt a strange mix of emotions. She was happy to hear from him, but it also stirred up memories she thought she’d buried.   

That evening, Evelyn returned to the mansion to find several large boxes stacked in the foyer. 

“What’s this?” she asked the housekeeper. 

“Your belongings from your old apartment, ma’am. They were delivered earlier today.” 

Evelyn nodded, her curiosity piqued. She spent the next hour unpacking, sorting through books, clothes, and keepsakes. 

One box, however, caught her attention. It was labeled in her handwriting: *Precious Memories.* 

She opened it carefully, her heart skipping as she uncovered its contents. There was an old photo album, filled with pictures of her childhood, family vacations, and school events. 

But it was a single photo tucked at the back that made her pause. 

It was a picture of her and Justin, taken at a school dance. They were laughing, his arm slung casually over her shoulders, her smile brighter than she remembered. 

Evelyn traced her finger over the photo, a wave of nostalgia washing over her. 

Underneath the photo was an old diary. She flipped through the pages, her younger self’s neat handwriting recounting countless memories of her school days—and her unspoken crush on Justin. 

--- 

Evelyn sat on the floor of her bedroom, the diary resting in her lap. 

*June 12th,* she read. 
*Justin walked me home after school today. We talked about everything—our dreams, our families, even the silly things that make us laugh. Sometimes I wonder if he knows how I feel about him. Probably not. But it’s nice, having him as a friend. I’d rather keep him close than risk losing him by saying something stupid.* 

She smiled wistfully. How naive she’d been back then. 

As she continued reading, memories flooded back. She remembered the countless nights she’d stayed up, daydreaming about a future with him. How her heart had ached when he left for college abroad. 

And now, after all these years, he’d called out of the blue. It made her wonder: What if things had been different? What if he hadn’t left? Would her life have taken a completely different path? 

She closed the diary, a bittersweet ache settling in her chest. 

---

Later that night, Augustus returned home late from the office. As he walked up the stairs, he passed Evelyn’s partially open bedroom door. 

He paused, glancing inside. She was sitting on the floor, surrounded by open boxes and scattered belongings. A photo in her hand caught his attention, though he couldn’t make out the details. 

She looked lost in thought, her usually bright eyes tinged with melancholy. 

For a moment, Augustus felt a pang of… something. Guilt? Curiosity? He wasn’t sure. 

Shaking his head, he continued to his study. He had no time for distractions, especially not ones involving Evelyn. 

---

As the night wore on, Evelyn packed away her memories, tucking the photo and diary safely into her nightstand. 

Looking around her lavish bedroom, she felt a pang of emptiness. The mansion was beautiful, but it didn’t feel like home. Her life with Augustus felt more like an obligation than a partnership. 

She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts drifting back to Justin. 

*What would life have been like if he had stayed?* 

The question lingered as she drifted off to sleep, unaware that in the room down the hall, Augustus was sitting at his desk, a deep frown etched on his face.