Chapter Three: The Decision
Manhattan never really sleeps.
It simply changes shifts.
Around three in the morning, Noah wandered through streets washed in neon reflections and freezing rain.
His phone wouldn't stop vibrating.
Investors.
Journalists.
Board members.
Friends.
He ignored every call.
His mind kept returning to one memory.
His mother working double shifts.
Pretending she'd already eaten so he could finish the last bowl of soup.
Pretending she wasn't cold.
Pretending she wasn't scared.
She had spent years protecting him with lies.
Now someone wanted him to protect his future with another one.
By sunrise, Noah found himself outside the employee entrance of the Plaza.
Workers streamed out wearing tired expressions and worn-out shoes.
Then he saw her.
Eleanor looked exhausted.
She smiled the moment she noticed him.
"You should be sleeping."
"So should you."
She laughed softly.
"I've been working mornings longer than you've been alive."
He stepped closer.
"I've made my decision."
She already knew.
"Noah..."
"I can't accept his deal."
Her smile disappeared.
"You have to."
"I won't."
"You earned this future."
"No."
He shook his head.
"You earned it."
He gently lifted her hands.
The skin was cracked.
Chemical burns marked her fingers.
Tiny scars crossed her knuckles.
Every mark represented another shift.
Another sacrifice.
Another day she'd survived.
"This company everyone keeps congratulating me for building..."
He smiled sadly.
"...started with these hands."
Tears filled Eleanor's eyes.
"I never wanted you to carry my burden."
"You never let me."
He wrapped his arms around her.
"So now it's my turn."
May you like
For the first time in years...
She allowed herself to cry.
