The company had a new CEO.

The patents were secure.

Employees kept their jobs.

The investigation uncovered millions in improper payments.

Aaron’s mother was facing serious legal consequences.

Jasmine had become a cooperating witness.

And Aaron had stepped away from the company completely.

Our divorce was nearly final.

Then came the final board meeting.

The chairman asked me to attend.

I almost declined.

Then I remembered the private jet.

The orange.

The seat.

The words:

Remember your place.

So I went.

When I entered the boardroom, everyone stood.

Not because I demanded respect.

Because they understood what I had done.

The chairman smiled.

“Mrs. Prescott.”

“Alyssa is fine.”

He nodded.

“Alyssa.”

The room settled.

He began.

“Six months ago, this company was facing a leadership crisis.”

Everyone knew.

“But today, revenue is up.”

He continued.

“Employee retention has improved.”

“Patent licensing has expanded.”

“And investor confidence has returned.”

Then he looked at me.

“We want you to become chairwoman of the board.”

I didn’t answer immediately.

Six months earlier, I would have accepted just to prove something.

Now I had nothing to prove.

“On one condition.”

“What condition?”

“Every employee affected by the previous leadership receives a fair review.”

The chairman smiled.

“Agreed.”

I signed the documents.

The meeting ended.

As everyone left, I remained by the window.

Then I heard footsteps.

Aaron.

He stopped several feet away.

“I heard.”

“Heard what?”

“They made you chairwoman.”

“Yes.”

He smiled sadly.

“You always deserved it.”

I looked at him.

“I never wanted your position.”

“I know.”

“I wanted a partner.”

He nodded.

“I know that now.”

There was a long silence.

Then he said:

“I signed the divorce agreement.”

I nodded.

“Thank you.”

He looked surprised.

“For what?”

“For finally letting me go.”

He smiled faintly.

“I think you let me go first.”

Maybe he was right.

He walked toward the door.

Then stopped.

“Alyssa?”

“Yes?”

“If I could go back…”

I shook my head.

“Don’t.”

He understood.

Some mistakes couldn’t be repaired by wishing.

He left.

I watched the door close.

Then I looked around the boardroom.

Four years ago, I had entered a similar room beside Aaron.

Back then, nobody knew my name.

Now they did.

But the strangest part was that I didn’t care.

Because recognition had never been what I wanted.

I wanted peace.

And finally, I had it.

There was only one thing left to do.

Go home.

Not to Aaron’s house.

Not to a mansion we had shared.

To my own home.

The place I had purchased with my own money.

The place where nobody could tell me where I belonged.

I walked outside.

The evening sky was turning gold.

My phone buzzed.

A message from Jasmine.

Thank you for giving me another chance.

I smiled.

Then deleted the message.

Not because I was angry.

Because the chapter was finished.

I didn’t need reminders anymore.

I got into my car.

For the first time in years, I drove somewhere without asking anyone’s permission.

And that was when I realized something.

Walking off that private jet had not been the moment I lost my marriage.

It had been the moment I stopped losing myself.

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