Mia Chen sat in her office, the sunlight streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow on her desk. She was surrounded by stacks of scripts, project proposals, and notes from meetings. Her dream of starting her own production company was slowly taking shape, and every day felt like a step closer to her ultimate goal.
As she flipped through a particularly promising script, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Ethan: "Meeting at 3 PM to discuss the new project. See you then."
Mia smiled to herself. Ethan had been surprisingly supportive of her ambitions. Since their marriage, he had gone out of his way to provide resources and advice, and their relationship had become more collaborative than she had ever expected.
Despite his past reputation as a cold, distant CEO, Mia had come to see Ethan in a new light. He was still intimidating, with his sharp mind and commanding presence, but there was a warmth to him that she hadn't noticed before. She appreciated his support, but she viewed him more as a mentor and friend than anything else.
At 3 PM, Mia made her way to Ethan's office. The moment she entered, she noticed the meticulous organization of his workspace—everything was in its place, reflecting his disciplined nature.
"Come in, Mia," Ethan said, looking up from his laptop with a smile. "Take a seat."
"Thanks, Ethan," Mia replied, settling into a chair opposite him. "I reviewed the script you sent over. It's fantastic. I think it could be a real hit."
"I'm glad you like it," Ethan said, leaning back in his chair. "I thought it had potential. What do you think we should focus on for the pitch?"
Mia launched into her ideas, discussing character development, marketing strategies, and potential investors. As they brainstormed, Ethan found himself increasingly impressed by her insight and creativity.
"You've really thought this through," he said, nodding appreciatively. "I think your vision for this project is spot on."
"Thank you," Mia said, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I just want to make sure we're on the right track."
"You are," Ethan assured her. "And I'm here to help in any way I can."
Mia looked at him, grateful for his support. "I really appreciate everything you've done, Ethan. I know our marriage started as a business arrangement, but your help means a lot to me."
Ethan's heart warmed at her words. He could hear her thoughts again, clear and sincere.
_"He's been so helpful. I don't know what I would have done without him. But that's all it is—help from a friend."_
Ethan couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. He had hoped their relationship might evolve into something more, but he respected Mia's feelings. If friendship was all she wanted, he would honor that.
Later that evening, Ethan found himself alone in his study, reflecting on the day's events. The ability to hear Mia's thoughts was still a marvel to him, and it offered him a unique insight into her true feelings. He knew she saw him as a friend and mentor, and while it wasn't what he had hoped for, he valued their connection deeply.
In his previous life, he had taken Mia for granted, seeing her only as a nuisance. But this new Mia was different—strong, independent, and ambitious. She was focused on her goals, not on trying to win his affection, and Ethan admired her for it.
As he sat there, lost in thought, he remembered the countless times Mia had tried to get his attention in their past life. She had been desperate for his love, but he had been too absorbed in his work to notice. Now, things were different. He had a second chance to make things right, to support her dreams without any ulterior motives.
The next day, Mia and Ethan met again to finalize their pitch. They worked seamlessly together, bouncing ideas off each other and refining their presentation. When they finally finished, Mia looked at Ethan with a sense of accomplishment.
"We did it," she said, smiling. "This is going to be amazing."
"It is," Ethan agreed, feeling a sense of pride in their collaboration. "You've done an incredible job, Mia. I'm really impressed."
"Thanks, Ethan," she replied. "I couldn't have done it without your help."
As they parted ways, Ethan couldn't help but feel a deep respect for Mia. She was determined to succeed, and he was proud to support her in any way he could.
That night, as he lay in bed, Ethan reflected on the changes in their relationship. He valued Mia's friendship and was determined to help her achieve her dreams, even if it meant putting his own feelings aside. Hearing her thoughts had given him a new perspective, and he was committed to being the friend and mentor she needed.
_"Maybe one day things will change,"_ he thought to himself. _"But for now, I'll be there for her as a friend. That's what she needs most."_
With that resolve, Ethan drifted off to sleep, ready to face whatever challenges the future might bring, knowing that he and Mia were stronger together, even if it was just as friends.