The sharp click of Mira Chen’s heels echoed through the concrete canyon of downtown as she strode purposefully toward the gleaming glass tower that housed Apex Architecture. Her dark hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail, and her crisp blazer and pencil skirt projected the image of cool professionalism she had carefully cultivated over the past five years at the firm.
As she approached the revolving door, Mira allowed herself a small smile. Today was the day - after months of preparation and late nights, she would finally present her design for the Millennium Tower to the partners. At 28, she was young to be lead architect on such a massive project, but Mira knew her plans were innovative and bold. This could be her big break.
The elevator whisked her up to the 42nd floor. As the doors opened, she nearly collided with Zoe Alvarez, her best friend and fellow architect at the firm.
“Whoa there, speed racer!” Zoe laughed, steadying Mira with a hand on her arm. “I was just coming to look for you. You ready for the big presentation?”
Mira nodded, falling into step beside Zoe as they walked toward the conference room. “As ready as I’ll ever be. I triple-checked all the renders last night.”
“Girl, when did you leave? I thought I was the last one out at 10.”
“Midnight,” Mira admitted. “I wanted everything to be perfect.”
Zoe’s brow furrowed with concern. “Have you been getting any sleep lately? You look exhausted.”
“I’m fine,” Mira insisted, waving off her friend’s worry. “Nothing a triple espresso can’t fix. Speaking of which…” She glanced at her watch. “I have time to run down to Grind House before the meeting. Want anything?”
“Nah, I’m good. Tell Liam I said hi though!”
Mira’s expression softened at the mention of her boyfriend. “Will do. Wish me luck!”
“Break a leg, superstar. You’ve got this!”
With a grateful smile, Mira hurried back to the elevator. Five minutes later, she pushed open the door of Grind House, inhaling the rich aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans. Behind the counter, Liam O’Connor looked up from the espresso machine he was tinkering with, his face breaking into a warm grin.
“There’s my favorite architect,” he called, already reaching for a to-go cup. “The usual?”
“You know me too well,” Mira replied, fishing cash from her wallet. “And make it a triple today, please.”
Liam raised an eyebrow as he started preparing her drink. “Big day?”
“Presenting the Millennium Tower designs to the partners in…” She checked her watch. “Forty-seven minutes.”
“Ah, no wonder you look like you haven’t slept in a week.” Liam’s tone was light, but Mira caught the flicker of concern in his green eyes.
“I’m fine, really,” she assured him, leaning against the counter. “Just a little pre-presentation jitters. Nothing I can’t handle.”
Liam handed over her coffee, his fingers brushing hers. “You’re going to knock their socks off. But promise me you’ll get some rest this weekend? Maybe we could do dinner tomorrow night?”
Mira hesitated. “I’d love to, but I should probably-”
“Work?” Liam finished, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. “Mira, when was the last time we had a proper date night?”
She opened her mouth to argue, then closed it again. He had a point. “You’re right,” she conceded. “Dinner tomorrow sounds great. I’ll make a reservation at that new Thai place you’ve been wanting to try.”
Liam’s face lit up. “Perfect. Now go show those stuffy partners what real vision looks like.”
With a quick kiss over the counter, Mira hurried back to Apex, sipping her coffee as she mentally rehearsed her presentation. By the time she reached the conference room, her nerves had settled into a focused determination.
The next hour was a blur of blueprints, 3D renderings, and rapid-fire questions from the partners. Mira held her ground, articulating her vision with passion and precision. When she finally concluded, there was a moment of silence that felt like it stretched for eternity.
Then Marcus Reeves, the most senior partner, leaned forward. His steely gaze locked onto Mira. “Ambitious,” he said slowly. “Perhaps… too ambitious.”
Mira’s heart sank, but she kept her expression neutral. “With all due respect, Mr. Reeves, I believe this design pushes boundaries in exactly the way our client requested. It’s bold, yes, but also structurally sound and environmentally conscious.”
Marcus’s lips twitched in what might have been a smile. “Indeed. Well, Ms. Chen, you’ve certainly given us a lot to consider. We’ll discuss internally and let you know our decision by the end of next week.”
As the partners filed out, Zoe practically bounced over to Mira. “That was incredible!” she gushed. “The way you handled Reeves? I thought he was going to keel over when you stood up to him.”
Mira let out a shaky laugh. “God, I think I might keel over now that it’s over. Was it really okay? I couldn’t read them at all.”
“Are you kidding? They were eating out of your hand. Trust me, that project is yours.”
Mira allowed herself a cautious smile. “I hope you’re right. I’ve poured everything into this design.”
“I know you have,” Zoe said, her tone softening. “Which is why you’re coming out for drinks with me tonight to celebrate. No arguments!”
“I don’t know, Zoe. I should really get started on those revisions-”
“Nope!” Zoe looped her arm through Mira’s, steering her toward their shared office. “All work and no play makes Mira a dull girl. Besides, Liam texted me earlier - he’s closing up early and wants to take you out to dinner. When was the last time you two had a proper date?”
Mira winced. “Okay, okay, you win. Drinks it is.”
The rest of the afternoon passed in a flurry of meetings and emails. By the time Mira and Zoe left the office, the sun was setting, painting the sky in vibrant streaks of orange and pink. They made their way to a nearby rooftop bar, snagging a table with a view of the glittering cityscape.
Two cocktails in, Mira felt some of the tension finally start to leave her shoulders. She leaned back in her chair, studying her best friend. “Thanks for dragging me out, Zo. I needed this.”
Zoe grinned, raising her glass in a mock toast. “That’s what I’m here for. Someone’s gotta make sure you remember there’s life outside those fancy blueprints of yours.”
Mira’s phone buzzed, and she glanced down to see a text from Liam: “Still on for dinner? Made us a reservation at 8.”
“Speaking of life outside work,” Mira said, showing Zoe the message. “I should probably head out soon. Rain check on that third round?”
“Absolutely. Go, have fun with your dreamy barista. I expect details tomorrow!”
Mira laughed, gathering her things. “Love you, Zo. Don’t stay out too late.”
“Yes, mom,” Zoe teased, shooing her away.
An hour later, Mira found herself seated across from Liam at a cozy Italian restaurant, a half-empty bottle of wine between them. She took a bite of her pasta, savoring the rich flavors. “God, I’d forgotten what real food tastes like. I think I’ve subsisted on nothing but coffee and protein bars for the past week.”
Liam shook his head, a mixture of fondness and exasperation in his eyes. “I worry about you sometimes, you know. You push yourself so hard.”
“I know, I know. But this project, Liam - it could change everything. If we land it, Apex will be at the forefront of sustainable urban design. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll finally make me partner.”
“And then what?” Liam asked softly. “Will you finally slow down? Take a vacation? Remember you have a life outside that office?”
Mira felt a flicker of irritation. “That’s not fair. You know how important my career is to me.”
“Of course I do. And I’m so proud of everything you’ve accomplished. But Mira, when was the last time we spent a whole weekend together? Hell, when was the last time we had a conversation that didn’t revolve around work?”
She opened her mouth to argue, then closed it again. He had a point. “I’m sorry,” she said finally. “I know I’ve been… distant lately. This project has consumed me. But you’re right, I need to find a better balance.”
Liam reached across the table, taking her hand. “That’s all I’m asking. I miss you, that’s all.”
Mira squeezed his hand, feeling a pang of guilt. “I miss you too. How about this - assuming I don’t completely blow this project, once it’s done, we take a real vacation. Two weeks, somewhere tropical. No laptops allowed.”
Liam’s face lit up. “Now that sounds like heaven. It’s a deal.”
As they finished their meal, Mira found herself relaxing for the first time in weeks. She’d forgotten how easy it was to just be with Liam, laughing at his terrible puns and swapping stories about their days. By the time they left the restaurant, hand in hand, she felt more centered than she had in months.
The next week passed in a blur of meetings and revisions. Mira threw herself into refining her designs, determined to address every possible concern the partners might have. She was so focused that she barely registered the concerned looks Zoe kept shooting her way, or the way Liam’s texts grew shorter and less frequent.
It wasn’t until Friday afternoon that Mira finally came up for air. She leaned back in her chair, rubbing her tired eyes, and noticed Zoe hovering in the doorway of their shared office.
“Earth to Mira,” Zoe said, waving a hand. “I’ve been trying to get your attention for like five minutes.”
“Sorry, Zo. What’s up?”
Zoe perched on the edge of Mira’s desk. “I was thinking we could grab dinner tonight. You know, celebrate surviving another week of corporate hell?”
Mira hesitated. “I don’t know, I should really finish these-”
“If you say revisions, I swear I’ll scream,” Zoe interrupted. “Come on, Mi. When was the last time you left the office before 9 PM? Live a little!”
Mira opened her mouth to argue, then caught sight of her reflection in the computer screen. The dark circles under her eyes were impossible to miss. Maybe Zoe had a point.
“Okay, okay,” she conceded. “Dinner sounds great. Let me just send one last email.”
Zoe clapped her hands in triumph. “Excellent! I know just the place. Meet you in the lobby in 20?”
As Zoe bounced away, Mira turned back to her computer. She fired off a quick message to Liam, letting him know she’d be out with Zoe and promising to call him tomorrow. Then, with a Herculean effort, she forced herself to shut down her computer and step away from her desk.
An hour later, Mira found herself tucked into a cozy booth at a trendy fusion restaurant, a fruity cocktail in hand. Across the table, Zoe was regaling her with a story about her latest Tinder disaster.
“…and then he says, I kid you not, ‘So, do you want to see my Pokemon card collection?’ I mean, who says that on a first date?”
Mira laughed, feeling some of the tension leave her shoulders. “Oh God, that’s terrible. Whatever happened to normal small talk?”
“Right? I swear, dating in this city is a minefield.” Zoe took a sip of her drink, then fixed Mira with a mischievous grin. “Speaking of which, how are things with Liam? Still disgustingly in love?”
Mira’s smile faltered. “We’re… good. I think. I mean, I’ve been so busy lately, we haven’t had much time together. But we’re planning a vacation once this project wraps up.”
Zoe’s expression softened. “Hey, that’s great! You deserve a break. And Liam’s a saint for putting up with your workaholic tendencies.”
“I know, I know. I’m lucky to have him.” Mira toyed with her napkin, avoiding Zoe’s gaze. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m… if I’m good enough for him, you know? He’s so patient, so understanding. And I’m just… always working.”
“Oh, honey.” Zoe reached across the table, squeezing Mira’s hand. “You are more than good enough. Liam adores you, anyone can see that. And yeah, maybe you work too much sometimes, but that passion is part of what makes you you. Don’t sell yourself short.”
Mira managed a small smile. “Thanks, Zo. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Probably forget to eat and turn into a coffee-fueled zombie,” Zoe teased. “Now come on, let’s order some actual food. I hear the fusion tacos here are to die for.”
As they dug into their meal, Mira felt some of the weight lift from her shoulders. She’d been so focused on work lately that she’d forgotten how good it felt to just relax and spend time with a friend. By the time they left the restaurant, pleasantly full and slightly tipsy, Mira felt more like herself than she had in weeks.
“Thanks for dragging me out tonight,” she said, giving Zoe a quick hug. “I needed this more than I realized.”
Zoe beamed. “Anytime, babe. That’s what friends are for. Now go home and get some actual sleep, okay? Those blueprints will still be there on Monday.”
Mira nodded, waving goodbye as Zoe hailed a cab. As she walked toward the subway, she pulled out her phone, intending to call Liam. To her surprise, she had three missed calls and a text from him: “Can we talk? It’s important.”
A knot of anxiety formed in Mira’s stomach. She quickly dialed Liam’s number, her heart racing as the phone rang once, twice, three times.
“Mira?” Liam’s voice was tight, controlled.
“Hey, what’s going on? Is everything okay?”
There was a long pause. “I don’t know, Mira. Is it? Because from where I’m standing, it feels like we’re drifting further apart every day.”
Mira’s chest tightened. “Liam, I-”
“I know you’re busy,” he continued, his voice strained. “I know this project is important to you. But Mira, I can’t remember the last time we had a real conversation that wasn’t about work. I feel like I’m dating your job, not you.”
“That’s not fair,” Mira protested weakly. “I’m trying, Liam. We have plans for that vacation, remember?”
“Yeah, someday. Maybe. If your work allows it.” Liam sighed heavily. “Look, I love you, Mira. But I can’t keep living like this, always coming second to your career. I think… I think we need to take a break. Figure out what we both really want.”
Mira felt like the ground was crumbling beneath her feet. “Liam, please. We can work this out. I’ll cut back my hours, I promise. Just… don’t do this.”
“I’m sorry, Mira. I really am. But I think we both need some time to think. I’ll… I’ll call you in a few days, okay?”
Before Mira could respond, the line went dead. She stood frozen on the sidewalk, staring at her phone in disbelief. How had everything fallen apart so quickly?
The next week passed in a blur of sleepless nights and distracted days. Mira threw herself into her work with even more fervor, desperate to keep her mind off the gaping hole Liam’s absence had left in her life. She barely registered the concerned looks Zoe kept shooting her way, or the way her coworkers whispered when she stumbled into the office looking like she hadn’t slept in days.
It wasn’t until Friday afternoon that reality came crashing down. Mira was hunched over her desk, poring over the latest revisions to her designs, when a shadow fell across her papers. She looked up to see Marcus Reeves looming over her, his expression unreadable.
“Ms. Chen. A word in my office, please.”
Mira’s stomach dropped. She followed Marcus down the hall, her mind racing. Had they decided to scrap her design? Was she being fired?
As she sank into the chair across from Marcus’s imposing desk, he fixed her with a steely gaze. “Ms. Chen, I’ll cut to the chase. We have a problem.”
Mira’s throat went dry. “Sir?”
Marcus slid a folder across the desk. “These arrived this morning. Preliminary designs for a tower that bears a striking resemblance to your Millennium project. From Vertex Architects.”
Mira’s hands shook as she opened the folder. Her eyes widened in horror as she flipped through page after page of renderings that were unmistakably based on her work. “This… this is impossible. How did they get these?”
“That,” Marcus said grimly, “is exactly what I’d like to know. Ms. Chen, I don’t need to tell you how serious this is. If word gets out that our designs have been compromised…”
“I didn’t leak anything,” Mira insisted, her mind reeling. “I would never-”
“I’m not accusing you,” Marcus interrupted. “But the fact remains, someone with access to your designs passed them along to our biggest rival. Until we get to the bottom of this, the Millennium project is on hold. And I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to take a leave of absence.”
Mira felt like she’d been punched in the gut. “Mr. Reeves, please. This project is my life. There has to be another way.”
Marcus’s expression softened slightly. “I’m sorry, Mira. But we can’t risk any further leaks. Clean out your desk and hand over all your files. We’ll be in touch once our investigation is complete.”
In a daze, Mira gathered her things and stumbled out of the office. She barely registered the curious stares of her coworkers as she shoved papers and personal items into a cardboard box. It wasn’t until she reached for a framed photo on her desk - a snapshot of her and Liam laughing on a beach last summer - that the full weight of everything hit her.
Her career was in shambles. Her relationship was on the rocks. And someone she trusted had betrayed her in the worst possible way.
As she sank into her chair, struggling to hold back tears, a gentle hand touched her shoulder. She looked up to see Zoe, her face etched with concern.
“Mi? What’s going on?”
Mira opened her mouth to explain, but all that came out was a choked sob. Without a word, Zoe pulled her into a tight hug, stroking her hair as Mira finally broke down.
“It’s okay,” Zoe murmured. “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out. I’ve got you.”
As Mira clung to her friend, she couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that this was only the beginning of her troubles. Someone had sabotaged her career, her life’s work. And she was determined to find out who.
The next morning, Mira woke with a pounding headache and a sense of hollow despair. She’d spent half the night crying on Zoe’s shoulder, pouring out the whole sordid story between gulps of wine. Now, in the harsh light of day, the reality of her situation felt even more overwhelming.
She fumbled for her phone, wincing at the bright screen. No messages from Liam. No updates from Marcus or HR. Just a text from Zoe: “Hanging in there? Call me if you need anything. Love you!”
Mira managed a weak smile. At least she still had one person in her corner.
As she dragged herself out of bed and into the shower, Mira’s mind raced. Who could have leaked her designs? She’d been so careful, keeping everything under wraps. The only people with full access were herself, Zoe, and the partners. And Zoe would never…
A cold feeling settled in Mira’s stomach as a horrible thought occurred to her. Zoe had been oddly invested in the project from the start, always asking for updates, offering to help with research. And hadn’t Mira seen her having hushed conversations with Marcus more than once lately?
No. Mira shook her head, sending water droplets flying. Zoe was her best friend. She wouldn’t betray her like that. Would she?
But the seed of doubt had been planted. As Mira dried off and got dressed, she couldn’t shake the nagging suspicion. She needed answers, and she needed them now.
Without allowing herself to second-guess, Mira grabbed her keys and headed for the door. Twenty minutes later, she was standing outside Grind House, peering through the window. Her heart clenched as she spotted Liam behind the counter, laughing with a customer. God, she missed him.
Taking a deep breath, Mira pushed open the door. The cheerful jingle of the bell felt almost obscene given her mood. Liam looked up, his smile faltering as he saw her.
“Mira,” he said, his voice carefully neutral. “I wasn’t expecting to see you.”
“I know. I’m sorry to just show up like this, but… can we talk? Please?”
Liam hesitated, then nodded toward a small table in the corner. “Give me five minutes to finish up this order.”
Mira settled into a chair, fidgeting nervously. When Liam finally joined her, sliding a steaming latte across the table, she barely knew where to begin.
“I’m sorry,” she blurted out. “For everything. For not making enough time for us, for getting so caught up in work. You were right, I lost sight of what really matters.”
Liam’s expression softened. “Mira…”
“No, please, let me finish. I know I messed up. But Liam, I love you. And I want to make this work. I’ll do whatever it takes - cut back my hours, take that vacation we talked about. Just… please don’t give up on us.”
Liam was quiet for a long moment, absently tracing patterns on the tabletop. “I love you too, Mira. That’s never been in question. But love isn’t always enough, you know? We want different things out of life. You’re all about your career, and I respect that. But I want a partner who’s actually present, who makes time for a life outside of work.”
Mira felt tears pricking at her eyes. “I can be that person. I want to be that person. Liam, please. I lost my job yesterday.”
His head snapped up. “What? What happened?”
In halting words, Mira explained about the leaked designs, the suspension, all of it. By the time she finished, Liam’s face was a mask of concern.
“God, Mira. I’m so sorry. That’s awful.” He reached across the table, taking her hand. “Are you okay? Do you need anything?”
The simple gesture of comfort was almost her undoing. Mira squeezed his hand, fighting back tears. “I just need you,” she whispered. “I know I don’t deserve another chance, but-”
“Hey,” Liam interrupted gently. “Don’t talk like that. Look, I can’t promise anything right now. We still have a lot to work through. But I’m here for you, okay? Whatever you need.”
Mira managed a watery smile. “Thank you. That means more than you know.”
They talked for another hour, hashing out old grievances and tentatively making plans for the future. By the time Mira left Grind House, she felt a glimmer of hope for the first time in days. She and Liam weren’t fixed, not by a long shot, but at least they were talking again.
Now she just had to get to the bottom of who had sabotaged her career.
Mira spent the next few days combing through every scrap of information she could find about the leaked designs. She pored over emails, sketches, anything that might give her a clue. But every lead seemed to hit a dead end.
It wasn’t until Wednesday afternoon that she finally caught a break. She was scrolling through her phone, looking for an old text from Zoe about the project, when she noticed something odd. There were gaps in their conversation history - chunks of time where messages seemed to be missing.
Frowning, Mira dug deeper. The more she looked, the more suspicious it seemed. Whole days of texts gone, always around times when she and Zoe had been working late on the Millennium designs.
A cold feeling settled in Mira’s stomach. She didn’t want to believe it, but the evidence was mounting. With shaking hands, she dialed Zoe’s number.
“Hey girl!” Zoe’s cheerful voice rang out. “I was just thinking about you. How are you holding up?”
“I need to see you,” Mira said, her voice tight. “Now. Can you meet me at Grind House?”
There was a pause. “Uh, sure. Is everything okay?”
“Just… meet me there in 20 minutes. Please.”
Mira paced outside the coffee shop, her mind racing. She didn’t want to believe Zoe could have betrayed her like this. But if she had…
She spotted Zoe approaching, a concerned look on her face. “Mi? What’s going on? You’re scaring me.”
Mira took a deep breath. “I know, Zoe. I know you leaked my designs to Vertex.”
Zoe’s eyes widened. “What? Mira, that’s crazy. I would never-”
“Don’t lie to me!” Mira snapped, drawing curious looks from passersby. She lowered her voice. “I saw the gaps in our text history. All those late nights you were so interested in my progress. The way you kept pushing me to take breaks, to step away from my computer.”
Zoe’s face crumpled. “Mira, please. It’s not what you think.”
“Then what is it? Because from where I’m standing, it looks an awful lot like you stabbed me in the back.”
Tears welled in Zoe’s eyes. “I didn’t have a choice,” she whispered. “They were going to fire me. Said I wasn’t pulling my weight. Marcus told me if I got him information on your designs, he’d make sure I kept my job.”
Mira felt like she’d been punched in the gut. “So you sold me out to save yourself? Zoe, how could you?”
“I’m so sorry,” Zoe sobbed. “I never meant for it to go this far. I thought… I don’t know what I thought. That they just wanted to see what you were working on, maybe incorporate some ideas. I didn’t know they’d steal the whole design.”
Mira shook her head, feeling numb. “I trusted you. You were my best friend.”
“I still am!” Zoe reached for Mira’s hand, but she jerked away. “Please, Mi. I’ll do anything to make this right. We can go to HR together, tell them everything.”
For a moment, Mira was tempted. But the damage was already done. Her reputation was in tatters, her career derailed. And the one person she’d thought she could always count on had betrayed her.
“I think you’ve done enough,” Mira said coldly. “Goodbye, Zoe.”
She turned and walked away, ignoring Zoe’s tearful pleas. Her whole world had been turned upside down, but at least now she knew the truth. It was time to pick up the pieces and figure out where to go from here.
As she rounded the corner, Mira nearly collided with a familiar figure. “Liam?”
He steadied her with a hand on her arm, his face etched with concern. “Hey. I saw you and Zoe from inside. Looked pretty intense. Are you okay?”
Mira opened her mouth to say she was fine, then closed it again. “No,” she admitted. “I’m really not.”
Liam’s expression softened. “Come on. Let’s get you inside, get some coffee in you. Then you can tell me all about it.”
As Mira allowed Liam to guide her into Grind House, she felt a tiny spark of hope. Her career might be in shambles, her friendships in ruins, but maybe - just maybe - there was still a chance to salvage what really mattered.
The next few weeks passed in a blur of meetings with lawyers, HR representatives, and, much to Mira’s surprise, headhunters from rival firms. Word had gotten out about the stolen designs, and while some viewed her with suspicion, others saw her as a victim of corporate espionage - and a valuable asset.
Through it all, Liam was her rock. He listened without judgment as she poured out her fears and frustrations, offered a shoulder to cry on when it all became too much, and gently pushed her to keep moving forward when she wanted to give up.
Slowly but surely, Mira began to see a way forward. She decided to take a position with a smaller, more innovative firm - one that valued work-life balance as much as cutting-edge design. It wasn’t the prestigious partner track she’d once dreamed of, but as she settled into her new role, Mira found herself feeling more fulfilled than she had in years.
As for her personal life, things with Liam were… evolving. They were taking it slow, rebuilding trust and relearning how to be partners in every sense of the word. There were still rough patches, moments when old habits threatened to resurface. But they were both committed to making it work this time.
Six months after that fateful day at Grind House, Mira stood on the balcony of her new apartment, looking out over the city she’d once been so desperate to reshape. Liam’s arms slipped around her waist, and she leaned back against him with a contented sigh.
“Penny for your thoughts?” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple.
Mira smiled, turning in his embrace to face him. “Just thinking about how different everything is now. A year ago, I thought I had it all figured out. The perfect job, the perfect friend, the perfect plan.”
“And now?”
She reached up, tracing the line of his jaw. “Now I know that perfection is overrated. I’d rather have real - messy, complicated, beautiful real.”
Liam’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. “I’ll drink to that.” He nodded toward the bottle of champagne chilling nearby. “Shall we?”
As they toasted to new beginnings, Mira felt a sense of peace settle over her. Her life hadn’t turned out the way she’d planned, but maybe that was okay. Maybe the cracks and imperfections were what made it beautiful.
She’d lost a lot in the past year - her dream job, her best friend, her carefully constructed vision of success. But as she looked at Liam, his eyes shining with love and promise, Mira knew she’d gained something far more valuable.
She’d found her way home.