Her lips pressed into a trembling line, and she tilted her head down, the darkness of the goggles only amplifying the hollow ache inside her chest.

“I really was a fool, wasn’t I? to think you could’ve cared… that any of it was real.”

When Evelyn’s hand tilted her chin up, Helen’s breath caught. Her eyes searched the other woman’s face, desperate to see even a flicker of the warmth she thought she knew—but then the words came, sharp as knives.

“You… you don’t mean it—Evelyn, you can’t—after everything

“Evelyn—what are you doing? ..”

her damp hair clinging to her cheeks, chest rising and falling from the sudden burst of adrenaline. When Evelyn’s chair swiveled around, that smirk framed in the shadows, Helen let out a sharp exasperated breath through her nose, narrowing her eyes but unable to hide the faint flush in her cheeks. +

Helen’s eyes flicked toward the familiar glass doors of her own office. A little sigh escaped her—habit more than necessity—and she pushed them open, walking inside. she’d look over the chair to see if Evelyn was behind it

“miss me that, i take it”

Stepping inside, she sent a quick message: “I’m here.” —-the echo of her footsteps followed her down the polished hallways, the faint hum of activity still lingering in the vast building. Before heading toward Evelyn’s floor, though .

Not long after, Helen pulled on something simple but elegant, the kind of comfort Evelyn always teased her about, and drove through the quiet night streets. The city lights reflected in the windshield as DevTech loomed into view. Parking outside (+)

She chuckled lightly, eyes half-lidding as she settled deeper into the pillow .

“And missing you, if that counts”

“Evelyn… you always know the perfect time to call”

“My brilliant, mischievous, gorgeous genius… all mine.”