The days following the confrontation with the board felt different. The air between Susan and Sanchez carried an unspoken tension—a mix of their lingering feelings and the fragile hope that they might rebuild what was lost. For Sanchez, every shared moment with Susan was like holding a delicate flame, afraid it might be extinguished. For Susan, the proximity awakened memories she had worked hard to bury.
One late evening, Susan found herself in the library of her father's estate. The room was dimly lit, with the faint aroma of aged books filling the air. She was reviewing the latest reports on Cruz Oil when Sanchez walked in, his presence filling the space effortlessly.
"I thought you'd left for the night," she said without looking up, keeping her tone neutral.
"I could say the same about you," Sanchez replied, his voice softer than usual. He walked over to the shelf, pretending to browse through books but stealing glances at her. "You've been putting in a lot of hours."
"I don't mind," Susan replied curtly. "There's a lot to fix."
"And you always did like fixing things," Sanchez said, his tone carrying a hint of admiration.
Susan finally looked up, meeting his gaze. "Some things can't be fixed, Sanchez," she said, her voice laced with an edge that hinted at their past.
Sanchez sighed, stepping closer. "I know I can't undo the damage I've done, Susan. But I'm trying. For the company, for my family's legacy… and for us, if that's even possible."
She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "You're good with words, Sanchez. But words don't erase the past. They don't erase the years I spent wondering why you left."
"I didn't leave," he said, his voice breaking slightly. "I was forced out, driven away by things I couldn't control. And I've been paying for it every single day."
There was a moment of silence between them, the weight of his confession hanging in the air. Susan wanted to believe him, but the scars of betrayal ran deep.
"Actions speak louder than words," she finally said, her voice softening. "If you want me to trust you again, you'll have to prove it."
Sanchez nodded, his determination shining through. "I will, Susan. I'll prove to you that I'm not the man who hurt you."
As he left the room, Susan stared at the empty doorway, her emotions a whirlwind of anger, hope, and fear. The path to reconciliation was far from clear, but for the first time in years, she dared to believe it might be possible.