Ethan''s grip on the wheel tightened.

    "They see Atlas as a threat now," he said, voice calmer. "That''s the only reason they''re reaching out."

    Lila was quiet for a second before murmuring, "You really built something amazing, you know. I saw the posts... You did great my love,"

    Ethan let out a small, humorless chuckle. "Apparently amazing enough for Newton to come crawling back."

    "I just don''t want them to ruin what you''ve worked for."

    He sighed, shifting in his seat as he pulled into a quiet parking lot near a closed coffee shop.

    The neon sign flickered dimly, and for a moment, he just sat there, staring at it, letting Lila''s words sink in.

    "They won''t," he said finally. "I won''t let them."

    Lila hummed softly, as if trying to gauge whether or not he truly believed his own words. "You don''t have to stress over this alone, you know. I''m here for you now and I will always be,"

    Ethan closed his eyes briefly, exhaling. "I know."

    Another moment of silence. Not awkward, but rather heavy with unspoken things.

    "...I''m glad you picked up," Lila admitted quietly. "I was worried."

    Ethan''s lips twitched slightly. "Didn''t mean to worry you. Just had a lot on my mind."

    "I get it," she murmured. "But don''t shut people out, okay? You have people who care about you."

    His throat tightened for half a second, but he pushed the feeling aside.

    "I know," he said again, a little softer this time.

    "Good." There was a warmth to her voice now, lighter, like she was reassured. "Are you heading home?"

    "Yeah," he said, glancing at the time.

    It was past midnight now, and exhaustion was beginning to creep in. "Just needed a minute to breathe."

    "Then I''ll let you go," she said, but she hesitated before adding, "Call me if you need anything, alright? Or I could come over?"

    Ethan felt something settle in his chest at her words. A steadiness.

    "I will call."

    "Promise?"

    He chuckled lightly. "I promise."

    She sighed in amusement. "Good night, Ethan."

    "Night, Lila.

    The call ended, leaving him in silence once more.

    #####

    Ethan barely managed to park the Porsche in his driveway before exhaustion hit him like a truck.

    Ethan groaned. "Vanessa — "

    "Oh, don''t you ''Vanessa'' me," she huffed. "I saw the pictures. You looked pretty cozy with her."

    He pinched the bridge of his nose. "She pushed me into a pool. There''s nothing cozy about that "

    "And you''re telling me that wasn''t flirting?"

    "She literally shoved me."

    "Ethan."

    He sighed, rolling onto his side, phone still pressed to his ear. "Melissa''s a friend. Nothing more."

    Vanessa hummed, clearly not fully convinced.

    "I didn''t even know she was going to be there," Ethan added.

    "That''s... actually fair."

    "Glad we cleared that up," he muttered.

    Another silence stretched between them, this time more comfortable.

    Vanessa''s voice softened. "You sound exhausted."

    "I am."

    "Then sleep, dummy."

    Ethan chuckled under his breath. "Trying to."

    "Well, don''t let me keep you up."

    "You kind of already did."

    Vanessa let out an amused scoff. "Go to sleep, Ethan."

    "Yeah, yeah."

    He was about to hang up when she suddenly spoke again, voice quieter this time. "I''m proud of you, you know?"

    Ethan blinked, his breath hitching slightly.

    She continued, "For everything. For pushing through, for building Atlas into what it is. You did it, Ethan."

    His throat tightened, and for a moment, he didn''t know what to say.

    So instead, he settled for a quiet, "Thanks, Vanessa."

    She smiled, he could hear it in her voice. "Good night, Ethan."

    "Night."

    The call ended, leaving him alone in the quiet of his home.

    Fo a while, he just lay there, staring at the ceiling until sleep finally took him.