You know a lot about dinosaurs. I know everything about dinosaurs. Emma looked between Victoria and Noah. Are you and Daddy going to get married? Noah choked on his coffee. Emma, we talked about this. I know, but that was before. Now Victoria comes over all the time, and you smile at each other weird, and you hold hands when you think I’m not looking.
That’s what people do when they’re going to get married. Victoria’s eyes met Noah’s across the table. There was something soft there, something vulnerable. What if we did? Victoria asked Emma. Would that be okay with you? Emma considered this seriously. Would you live here? Probably not. My house is bigger.
Would I get my own room? You’d get your own room. Would daddy still make pancakes on Sundays? Absolutely. Emma nodded. Then yes, that would be okay. Noah couldn’t breathe. Victoria had just proposed sort of to his daughter, and Emma had negotiated terms like a tiny lawyer, and nobody had asked him, but he didn’t care because the answer was yes.
Had always been yes, would always be yes. Victoria, he managed. She looked at him and her expression was terrified and hopeful at the same time. Too fast. Completely insane. Is that a no? That’s a we’ve known each other 5 weeks and we’re in the middle of a corporate scandal and this is objectively crazy. That’s not an answer.
Noah looked at Emma who is watching them with wide eyes. Looked at Victoria, exhausted and beautiful and absolutely serious. thought about everything they’d been through, everything still ahead, all the reasons this shouldn’t work. “Yes,” he said. “Whenever you want to actually ask me properly,” the answer’s yes.
Victoria smiled, and it was the first genuine, unguarded smile he’d seen from her in weeks. “Okay, then. Okay. Okay.” Emma went back to her drawing like they hadn’t just decided to completely upend their lives. Noah and Victoria sat at the kitchen table, hands linked, letting the weight of what they just committed to settle over them.
“We’re really doing this?” Victoria asked quietly. “Apparently.” “Your daughter just negotiated pancakes into our marriage contract. She’s thorough. Gets it from her mom.” Victoria squeezed his hand. I’m scared. Good. Me, too. Means it matters. The investigation concluded 4 weeks after Victoria’s press conference.
The final report was 300 pages of documentation, interviews, and evidence. It confirmed everything Noah had claimed. Richard Castellano had systematically stolen ideas from junior engineers for over 6 years. He’d falsified reports, misattributed work, and built his entire reputation on fraud. Two other managers had been complicit.
Six engineers, including Noah, had been victims. Richard was terminated immediately. The two managers were placed on probation pending further review. HR recommended policy changes, additional oversight, and a formal apology to everyone affected. The board met to review the findings. This time, the vote was unanimous. The investigation had been warranted.
Victoria’s handling had been appropriate. Richard was banned from the premises and threatened with legal action if he attempted any retaliation. Noah got the call on a Thursday afternoon. Jennifer Walsh from HR voice carefully neutral. Mr. Carter, the investigation has concluded. Your claims have been substantiated.
The company formally apologizes for the hostile work environment you experienced. We’d like to discuss next steps. What kind of next steps? We’re restructuring the engineering division, creating new positions with appropriate oversight. We’d like to offer you a senior engineering role with a significant salary increase.
You’d be reporting directly to the division VP, not a supervisor. Your ideas would be properly attributed. You’d have autonomy and resources. Noah sat down heavily. How significant an increase. She named a number that was nearly double his current salary. Enough to move out of his cramped apartment. Enough to save for Emma’s college. Enough to breathe.
There’s one condition, Jennifer continued. Given your relationship with Miss Hail, Ms. tale. You’d need to sign a conflict of interest disclosure, regular reviews to ensure there’s no preferential treatment, complete transparency about your relationship status. It’s non-negotiable. I understand.
Do you accept? Noah thought about 4 years of staying quiet, about finally being heard, about building something better, not just for himself, but for everyone who came after. Yes, I accept. Victoria screamed when he told her. actual screaming followed by crying followed by kissing him so hard they both forgot where they were until her assistant knocked to remind her about a conference call.
“You did it,” Victoria said, laughing and crying at the same time. “You actually did it. We did it together.” “What are you going to tell Emma?” “That we’re moving. That things are going to be different, better.” When? I don’t know. Soon after we figure out the rest. The rest meant wedding planning, which turned out to be significantly more complicated than either of them expected.
Victoria wanted something small and private. Noah wanted Emma involved in every decision. They compromised on a ceremony at the park where they’d had their second date with just close friends and family. Marcus served his best man and gave a speech about how he’d never seen Noah this happy, how Sarah would have approved, how Victoria better take care of his best friend or else.
