The next morning didn't feel like a new day.
It felt like a countdown.
Ethan stood outside a towering glass building in the heart of New York, its polished surface reflecting the restless city around it. People walked past him in a blur—busy, focused, unaware.
But his attention was fixed on one thing.
The name at the top of the building.
A name that carried influence, power… and authority over Zoé's life.
Audrey Bourgeois
Zoé's mother.
"You're actually doing this…"
Zoé's voice came from beside him, laced with disbelief.
Ethan didn't look at her.
"You said you'd think about it."
"I didn't say you should go confront my mother."
"I'm not confronting her."
Now he turned.
"I'm asking."
Zoé crossed her arms, clearly unconvinced.
"…You don't ask like normal people."
"That depends on what you consider normal."
She sighed.
"This is a bad idea."
"Probably."
"And you're still doing it?"
"Yes."
A pause.
"…You're impossible."
Ethan didn't deny it.
Inside, the building was even more intimidating.
Clean. Quiet. Controlled.
Everything about it screamed precision and status.
They were led through hallways lined with modern art and glass walls until they reached a large office at the end.
The assistant opened the door.
"She's expecting you."
The moment they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted.
Audrey Bourgeois stood near the window, her posture flawless, her presence commanding. Even without turning, she carried an aura that made it clear—
She was not someone easily persuaded.
"You're late," she said sharply.
Zoé stiffened slightly.
"We're not—"
"Two minutes late is still late."
Her tone cut cleanly.
Then she turned.
Her gaze fell on Ethan.
Measured. Analytical.
"And you must be the reason for this… unusual request."
Ethan stepped forward calmly.
"Ethan Vale-Cheng."
Audrey's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Vale… Cheng…" she repeated. "Interesting combination."
He said nothing.
Zoé shifted nervously.
"Mom, I—"
"You'll speak when I ask you to."
Silence.
Zoé fell quiet.
Ethan noticed.
And filed it away.
Audrey walked toward them, heels clicking softly against the floor.
"So," she said, folding her arms, "explain."
Ethan didn't hesitate.
"I'm moving to Paris."
"I'm aware."
"I want Zoé to come with me."
The room went still.
Zoé's eyes widened slightly.
Even she hadn't expected him to say it that directly.
Audrey stared at him.
Then—
She laughed.
Not amused.
Dismissive.
"No."
Just one word.
Absolute.
Final.
Zoé looked down.
She expected that.
Ethan didn't react.
"On what basis?" Audrey continued. "You think you can walk in here and request that my daughter abandon her life, her education, and her responsibilities?"
"I'm not asking her to abandon anything."
"You just did."
"I'm asking for a transfer."
That made her pause.
Slightly.
"A transfer?" she repeated.
"Yes."
"To Paris."
Audrey's expression hardened again.
"And why," she said slowly, "would I allow that?"
Ethan met her gaze.
Unshaken.
"Because it benefits you."
That caught her attention.
Zoé blinked.
…What?
Audrey tilted her head slightly.
"Go on."
Ethan's voice remained calm.
"Your company has an upcoming collaboration."
She didn't respond.
But her silence confirmed it.
"With a European partner," he continued. "Expansion into Paris."
Now her eyes sharpened.
"You've done your research."
"I know enough."
Zoé looked between them, confused.
Ethan kept going.
"You're trying to establish influence there."
Audrey said nothing.
"But without a strong personal presence," he added, "your position weakens."
A pause.
Then—
"You're suggesting," Audrey said carefully, "that my daughter is somehow relevant to this."
Ethan didn't miss a beat.
"Public image matters."
That was the right answer.
Because Audrey didn't care about emotions.
She cared about perception.
"Having your daughter present in Paris," Ethan continued, "strengthens your narrative. It shows commitment. Stability. A personal stake."
Audrey's expression shifted—just slightly.
Interest.
Zoé stared at Ethan.
She had never seen him like this before.
Not quiet.
Not distant.
But precise.
Calculated.
"And what," Audrey said, "do you gain from this?"
Ethan answered without hesitation.
"Control."
Zoé blinked.
"…Ethan—"
"I ensure her safety," he corrected calmly. "Her education. Her environment."
His eyes didn't leave Audrey's.
"She studies with me."
Audrey studied him in silence.
Long.
Evaluating.
Weighing.
"You're confident," she said finally.
"Yes."
"Or reckless."
"Those aren't mutually exclusive."
A faint smirk touched her lips.
"And if I refuse?"
Ethan's expression didn't change.
"Then your collaboration in Paris becomes… more difficult."
Zoé's heart skipped.
"Ethan—!"
But he didn't stop.
"I won't interfere directly," he added. "But I won't help either."
Audrey's gaze sharpened instantly.
There it was.
The pressure.
Subtle.
But undeniable.
The room fell silent again.
Tension thick in the air.
Zoé clenched her hands.
This was going too far.
Way too far.
But before she could speak—
Audrey exhaled slowly.
"…You're either very foolish," she said, "or very aware of what you're doing."
Ethan didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
Another pause.
Then—
"…She will go."
Zoé froze.
"…What?"
Audrey turned to her.
"On conditions."
Zoé stepped forward slightly.
"What conditions?"
"You will maintain your academic performance."
"…Okay…"
"You will not embarrass me."
She hesitated.
"…I won't."
"And you will represent this family properly."
Zoé nodded slowly.
"I will."
Then Audrey looked at Ethan.
"And you."
Ethan met her gaze.
"If anything happens to her…"
"It won't."
Not a promise filled with emotion.
But one filled with certainty.
Audrey held his gaze for a moment longer.
Then—
"See that it doesn't."
Silence.
Then she turned away, already dismissing them.
"This conversation is over."
Outside the building, the air felt different.
Lighter.
But not completely.
Zoé stopped walking.
"…What just happened?"
Ethan glanced at her.
"You got permission."
"That's not what I meant!"
She ran a hand through her hair.
"You just… threatened my mother."
"I didn't threaten her."
"You basically did!"
"I gave her a reason."
Zoé stared at him.
Trying to process everything.
Then—
"…You're insane."
"Probably."
A pause.
Then she asked quietly—
"…Did you mean it?"
Ethan looked at her.
"Which part?"
"…About me coming with you."
He didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Zoé's expression softened.
"…Then I guess…"
She looked up at the sky for a moment.
Then back at him.
"…Paris doesn't sound so bad."
Ethan didn't smile.
But something in his eyes shifted.
Because now—
He wasn't leaving alone.
And somewhere far away…
In a quiet home in Paris…
Fate was already beginning to move.