I smirk at Misha as we all stand as one, gathering our things.
The Elysium executives exchange panicked glances, the reality of the situation dawning on them. “Dr. Stanley may have grounds to quit under these… unexpected circumstances,” another board member finally speaks up. “But the rest of you are under contract. We have a binding agreement for you to develop this AI with us and launch it under Elysium. You can’t just walk away.”
“We’ll see about that.” Grey’s smile is cold, almost predatory. “Our lawyer is already drafting a proposal for arbitration. And don’t be surprised if we turn it into a demand for damages. Elysium promised us a safe environment to work on our project, and it’s clear now that it was anything but.”
The CEO, trying to regain control, straightens in his seat. “If you want to play it that way, then we’ll hold both the AI and AR projects until our lawyers find an agreement. Nothing moves forward until this is resolved.”
Oliver laughs, a sound that catches everyone off guard. He pulls the laptop cord free and glances at Grey, who smirks back.
“Of course, do that,” Grey says with a shrug and an air of finality.
We turn to leave the room, the tension thickening behind us as we stride down the hallway, and I glance at Oliver. “Are we really just leaving the projects with them?”
Oliver’s grin is sly, almost mischievous. “While you guys were on it proving a point, I was busy pulling both projects over to our own servers. Every bit of code, every asset… we own it all. And to top it off, I wiped every trace of it from their servers. They’ll have nothing left to hold onto.”
My eyes widen as I process what he’s just said. “You did that while we were in there?”
Oliver nods, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “Grey and I have been preparing for this possibility for a while. It’s all about being one step ahead. Now, they can sit in that room and argue all they want, but there’s nothing left for them to hold over us.”
Stepping outside, the weight on my chest lifts, dissipating into the crisp air. Everything feels lighter—the world brighter, the future suddenly full of possibility.
“Thank you,” I manage, my throat tight with emotion. The words barely seem enough to convey the depth of my gratitude, but they’re all I can manage right now.
Misha grins, slinging an arm around my shoulders in that familiar, comforting way of his. “We’re a team, Amelia. We’ll always have your back.”
Walking away from the towering building, I glance back one last time. It’s a symbol of all I’ve endured, of the battles fought and won. But instead of regret or anger, all I feel is a profound sense of relief. I turn away, facing forward—toward the future, toward the life I get to build with these incredible men by my side.
But what will that future even look like?
I haven’t asked before.
“So… what now?”
“Now,” Grey says, taking my hand. “We crash at Grandpa’s for a while, talk to him and some lawyers. Then we find a place of our own, set up shop, and start our own company. We’re going to push out the AI and AR and make something that Elysium could only dream of.”
Misha’s arm tightens around my shoulders. “We’ll be millionaires, getting fat and happy together.”
“And then we’ll see what an AI-operated, lensless AR can do,” Oliver smiles at me, and I can’t help the rush of excitement that bubbles up inside.
The future suddenly seems so tangible, so close.
So full.
For the first time in a long while, I feel a sense of anticipation. “And what will our company be called?” I ask, a smile tugging at my lips.
The guys exchange looks, and then they all just snicker, leaving the question hanging in the air.
“What?”
EPILOGUE
FIVE YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS LATER
The wind rustles softlythrough the tall grass, carrying the scent of wildflowers on its gentle breeze, and sunlight filters through the leaves, casting playful shadows that dance across my arms as I chew on a Twizzlers.
It’s one of those perfect days.
There are a lot of them lately.
