The award ceremony was in full swing. Glamour, applause, and blinding camera flashes filled the hall. Yet amidst it all, Maya sat with her hands in her lap, composed on the outside but battling a storm within.
And then he walked in.
The crowd shifted, turning in waves of whispered awe as Ethan Cole entered the hall. He wore a black tailored suit, sharp enough to command attention and cold enough to match his unreadable face. He walked with purpose—ignoring the murmurs and the flattering greetings.
His eyes were fixed.
On her.
Maya felt it before she even looked up. The weight of his gaze. Her heart was thumping so loud it rang in her ears. For six long years, she had evaded him.
But now—he was here.
And he stopped right in front of her.
She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes at first, not when guilt curled in her chest like a buried secret trying to claw its way out. Not when her son—their son—existed just a few miles away, asleep in the care of someone else. Ethan didn't know. He never knew.
Suddenly, his hand extended in front of her.
She blinked, instinctively reaching for it before her mind caught up.
"Congratulations, Maya Cole," he said, his voice cool and teasing.
Then, after a slight pause, "Oh, sorry. Maya Sinclair."
There was a smirk playing on his lips, but his eyes… his eyes were anything but amused. They searched hers, as if trying to read something between the lines.
Maya finally looked up, forcing her features into a calm, impassive mask. "Thank you, Mr. Ethan Cole," she said dryly, rolling her eyes as she let go of his hand.
She sat back down, hoping he'd walk away.
But he didn't.
To her surprise, he sat down beside her.
Her shoulders tensed, and she turned slightly away, staring at the stage like it held the secrets to the universe. Her mind was spinning. What game is he playing now?
Her phone vibrated gently in her lap.
Noah - My Prince Calling
She froze.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ethan's brow lift as he noticed the caller ID. His face remained unreadable, but Maya didn't miss the subtle shift in his posture.
Without hesitation, she declined the call and typed a quick message:
' Still in the ceremony. I'll come as soon as it's over. Make Noah sleep, alright?'
Dane's reply came seconds later:
'Alright, Ms. Badass CEO.'
A small, involuntary smile crept across her lips—but quickly vanished. She locked the screen, slid the phone back into her clutch, and inhaled deeply. This was not the time to lose her balance.
"And now," the host's voice rang through the speakers, "to present the Best CEO of the Year award… please welcome Mr. Ethan Cole!"
Maya's stomach dropped.
What?!
As Ethan rose and made his way to the stage, Maya's heart raced for an entirely new reason. The irony was too cruel. He—the man who once walked out of her life without knowing what he left behind—was now the one handing her the most important award of her career.
Her heels clicked sharply against the polished floor as she walked to the stage, all eyes on her. Every step felt heavier under the weight of unspoken truths.
When she reached him, Ethan held the trophy out with both hands, the edges of a smirk still playing at his lips.
"Getting this award once is admirable," he said into the mic. "I was the one receiving it all these years, so… congratulations, Maya. You've finally caught up."
Polite laughter rippled through the audience.
Maya didn't laugh. She didn't even blink. She took the trophy from his hands and responded in a flat, calm voice that sliced through the awkward tension.
"Whatever."
And with that, she turned on her heel and walked off the stage.
No speech. No gratitude. Just silence.
She returned to her seat for a moment, trophy in hand—but she didn't sit. Her eyes had already flickered toward the exit.
Enough was enough.
But just as she took her first step to leave, a firm hand closed around her wrist.
She froze.
Turned slowly.