New York City buzzed in the distance as Bella Quinn stepped out of the taxi. The sound, once so loud and close, now felt far away like a memory she didn't want to wake up.
It had been five years. Five long years since she ran from this city, from the pain it brought. Now, she stood in front of a tall glass building Reed International. The name alone made her stomach twist.
She held her portfolio tight. It felt solid in her hands, like proof that she had built a new life. A stronger one. One that didn't depend on anyone but herself.
"Ms. Quinn? Isabella Quinn?"
The voice snapped her back to the present. A young woman walked up to her, holding a tablet and wearing a perfect smile. "Welcome to Reed International. Mr. Reed is expecting you."
Bella's heart skipped a beat. Mr. Reed. Of course. He was the mystery client. She hadn't known his name until now.
Her hands shook slightly as she followed the assistant through the shiny, quiet lobby. Everything looked expensive and cold. The walls, the lights, the people all so polished. All so familiar.
This was his world.
The elevator felt too slow. Each second stretched forever. She tried to calm herself. She was no longer that girl from five years ago. She was Bella Quinn now. A successful architect. A strong single mother. Not Isabella Reed, the broken woman who had once been married to a man who didn't see her pain.
The doors opened.
The assistant led her into a large office with tall windows and a view of the city. He was standing there, facing the glass, his back to her.
Jason Reed.
He hadn't turned yet, but she could feel his presence tall, powerful, and distant. He seemed even colder now.
Then, he turned.
Bella stopped breathing.
His eyes were the same icy blue. His face was older, more serious, but still sharp. Still him. His gaze landed on her and for a second, she thought she saw surprise. But it quickly faded into something harder.
He stared at her like she was a stranger. Or a ghost.
The silence between them was loud. Bella's heart pounded. This wasn't just the past showing up again it was crashing right into her.
Jason's eyes narrowed. His face grew cold. He didn't speak at first. He just studied her like she was a puzzle he couldn't quite solve.
Finally, his deep voice broke the silence.
"You're late, Ms. Quinn. I'm Jason Reed. You'll be working with me directly."
His tone was sharp, almost rude.
Bella felt her jaw tighten.
She saw it in his eyes. He was already suspicious. He didn't know the truth, not yet. But he could feel something was off.
And in that moment, she knew.
This wasn't going to be just another job.
This was the start of something she had tried to leave behind. Something full of secrets, tension and danger.