The Red String Between Us: Part III Eternal Thread

第22章 Settling Back, Stepping Forward

      The flight back to Hokkaido was quiet, marked by soft conversation and tired smiles. By the time they landed, dawn's light had already crept across the sky, painting the mountains in pale gold. The whirlwind of California now felt like a dream—roses, violins, and cameras giving way to the grounded hush of home. Kenji's Private jet was pretty spacious, and Eden slept most of the flight, stretched out, head in Kenji's lap and he caressed her while working on his laptop. 

At the arrivals hall, Mia hugged them both before grabbing her luggage.
"I'll give you two some space," she said warmly, but her eyes lingered knowingly on Eden's hand, where the massive diamond caught the morning light. "Call me soon, okay?"

Eden promised she would, then watched as Mia disappeared into the crowd.

Kenji turned toward her, his expression calm but quietly expectant. "Come with me," he said gently. "My house is closer. You don't need to worry about anything tonight."

The offer tempted her, but Eden shook her head. "I need to go home first."

His brow lifted, almost imperceptibly. "Home?"

"Yes." Her voice softened, though she made sure it carried a note of finality. "I've been gone for a bit. I need to check on things. Settle in. You understand."

Kenji studied her for a long moment, then nodded. "I'll call you tomorrow, but just a heads up i may be flying out to India tomorrow." He brushed her cheek with his thumb, and for a heartbeat, she wanted to relent. But she didn't. She had to protect her space. "Tomorrow?! so sudden. I understand, just keep me updated." Eden replied to his revelation. 

      When Eden finally stepped into her house, the silence embraced her like an old friend. She set down her bags, peeled out of her travel clothes, and drew a long bath. Steam curled into the air, carrying away the noise of the past few days. Here, she wasn't the CEO of Aoki Global, or Kenji's fiancée under the watch of flashing cameras. She was just Eden Hayes—woman, daughter, sister, still learning to balance love with herself.

Afterward, wrapped in a robe, she booked another appointment with her therapist. The calendar notification blinked back at her like a promise of sanity.

But reality pressed in quickly. One glance at her work email showed a storm brewing at Aoki Global's Japan headquarters—an urgent issue flagged across multiple messages. Her stomach tightened. Tomorrow would be her first day back, and she would have to face it head-on with Mallory by her side.

Her eyes drifted to the glittering ring on her finger, the weight of it heavy in her palm as she twisted it absently. The proposal had been beautiful, unforgettable—but now, a new question haunted her. Should she wear it to the office? Would it strengthen her, or only spark whispers, distractions, and questions she wasn't ready to answer?

Leaning back in her chair, Eden exhaled slowly. Independence meant drawing her own lines—even if those lines blurred between love, work, and the truth of who she wanted to be.

Tomorrow would test all of it.