Weeks later, she finally met Eleanor again. This time it was at the firm’s charity luncheon. “You’ve been busy,” Eleanor said, voice thin but polite. “You too,” Mia replied, offering her hand. For the first time, the gesture was even. It was the redistribution of power.
After the luncheon, Daniel leaned close and said quietly, “You didn’t just win, you rewrote the rules.” Mia’s eyes softened. “No,” she said. “I just stopped playing theirs.” The simplicity of the truth silenced him. He firmly squeezed her hand, and for the first time, she felt a lightness.