Page 41 of The Founder's Power

Clara lingers, eyebrows raised.

Naomi closes her laptop and slides it into her bag.

“WairuTech?” I ask, walking over to her. “That deal was vapor two weeks ago.”

“I don’t believe in vapor,” she says simply. “Only ignition points.”

I stare at her for a moment. Then I nod once. “Well done.”

“Thank you.” She gives me a sharp smile. “Just let me know where the next fire is.”

She walks out.

Hmm. She’s controlled, capable, brilliant. Exactly the kind of person you build empires with.

And maybe exactly the kind of person who knows how to bring one down.

CHAPTER21

ISABELLE

The next day, I’m painting when the thought catches me off guard.

It’s been one of those slow, quiet days, the kind where the brush moves but the heart doesn’t. The canvas stares back at me, half-finished. I’ve been restless, and my mind keeps drifting.

To him.

To us.

To our fight.

I replay every moment like I’m trying to extract some truth from them that I missed while I was too busy being angry, and there is truth, sitting quietly in the spaces between my resentment and his regret.

He’s still trying.

Even now.

Despite the threat to his company, he still showed up. He would bring me dinner. Now, he didn’t listen perfectly always but better than he used to. His shoulders have been tighter, his eyes more shadowed. That has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the weight he’s carrying.

Suddenly, I feel a low thrum of guilt. I’ve been so focused on making sure I’m not sidelined again that I forgot that Damian Kincaid is not invincible. He’s afraid. He’s trying to love me while the ground under him is cracking open.

And what have I done? I’ve demanded more. Asked for proof. Pulled back when he stumbled.

Not because I don’t love him. But because I was trying to protect myself.

But maybe love isn’t about waiting to be chosen.

Maybe it’s about choosing back.

Even when it’s uncertain.

Even when it’s not convenient.

Even when I don’t know where I fit into his world.

I lower my brush and sit back on the stool, heart thudding.

I’m not part of the business world. I can’t fix the Veridian Holdings threat or outmaneuver hostile investors, but maybe I don’t have to. Maybe I can offer something else, something that isn’t strategy or power or leverage but is still worth something.

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