The Red String Between Us: Part III Eternal Thread

第42章 Back to Life

The Chicago office felt both familiar and distant to Eden, like stepping into a former life that had shifted in her absence. The glass walls, the steady hum of voices, the smell of fresh coffee—it was all the same, yet she had changed. Now she carried a different presence, one that turned heads when she walked the halls. Some employees whispered, others greeted her warmly, but Eden made a point to smile, shake hands, and ask about their work as though she'd never left.

By mid-morning she was deep into the rhythm, headset on, flipping between acquisition calls and contract reviews. Her voice was steady as she negotiated terms, her pen scratching notes across a thick pad of paper. She signed off on inspection codes for several Japan sites, double-checking details before final approvals. The hours slid by in a blur of efficiency—this, she realized, was her grounding space.

Her phone buzzed, breaking her focus. It was the contractor. She answered quickly.

"Ms. Hayes? Just wanted to update you—the pipe work is complete. Everything's sealed and reinforced. We'll send you the photos now."

Seconds later, her screen filled with images of the repaired basement pipe, new insulation, and fresh seals against the walls. Relief spread through her, tension she hadn't noticed loosening in her shoulders.

"That's good news," Eden said, exhaling. "Thank you. What's the next step?"

"Well," the contractor replied, "there's still some residual water damage. You'll need a janitorial company to scrub and sanitize the basement walls and floors. Mold prevention. Best if it's done today."

Eden nodded even though he couldn't see her. "Got it. I'll take care of that."

As soon as the call ended, she pulled up her laptop and began searching. Within fifteen minutes, she'd booked a reputable local janitorial service for a same-day deep clean. The confirmation email pinged into her inbox almost immediately, giving her a flicker of accomplishment.

She leaned back in her chair and dialed the inspector next. "Hi, this is Eden Hayes. I'd like to schedule the final inspection on my property. The repairs are finished, and the cleaning will be done today. Can we meet tomorrow morning?"

The inspector confirmed a 9 a.m. appointment. Eden scribbled it into her planner, feeling the weight of progress at last.

Closing her laptop, she stretched, letting her eyes sweep across the office floor again. It was good being here—good to remind herself that she was capable, steady, and still deeply rooted in her career, even as her personal life transformed around her.