“Nothing. Just… Thank you. For being here. For everything.”
His smile turns mischievous. “Does this mean I get to be the trophy husband when you’re running your legal empire?”
“Bold of you to assume I’d make an honest man out of you,” I tease, but my heart skips at the word ‘husband.’ It doesn’t terrify me the way it once would have.
Aaron opens the passenger door with a flourish. “Your chariot awaits, Counselor.”
Once we’re both inside, Aaron shifts his body to face me. “So? How does it feel to be free?”
“Weird,” I admit. “Good-weird, but still weird. It’s like I’ve been wearing shoes that were too tight for years, and I finally took them off.” I wiggle my toes in my actual shoes for emphasis. “I keep waiting for the panic to hit.”
“And has it?”
“No.” I smile, surprised by my own certainty. “I thought I’d be more scared, but it feels… right. Like I’m finally doing what I should have done years ago.”
He reaches across the console to take my hand, his thumb tracing circles on my palm. “I’m proud of you, Minji. Taking this leap couldn’t have been easy.”
“It wasn’t. But having you believe in me made it possible.” The words feel vulnerable in my mouth, but I’m learning to say them anyway.
“Well, I have something that might make it even more worth it.” He reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a small envelope. “I was going to save this for lunch, but I can’t wait.”
“What’s this?” I take the envelope, intrigued by his barely contained excitement.
“Open it.”
Inside are two confirmation printouts for plane tickets to Seoul, dated for next month. I look up at him, confused. “Aaron, what?—”
“Before you overthink it, it’s not about your job or lack thereof. Axel is looking at property out there for his Asian headquarters and asked me to tag along, so I’m bringing youwith me. Unless you don’t want to come?” he finishes, searching my face for a reaction.
My heart skips in my chest. Seoul. I could go home and see my mother, and someone else is paying for it.
“When did you plan all this?” I ask, running my finger along the edge of the ticket.
“I knew about the trip for a while, but after you told me about missing your trip with your mom, I figured this might be the perfect time. We can celebrate your new beginning, see your family, and you can show me where you come from.” He shrugs, trying to look casual, but I can see the hope flickering in his eyes. “Plus, my Korean is terrible. I need a translator who won’t laugh at me too much.”
“I’ll definitely laugh at you,” I warn, but I’m already smiling. “A lot.”
“I’m counting on it.”
I stare at the paper, feeling warmth spread in my chest. The idea of walking through Seoul with Aaron, introducing him to my grandmother and mother, showing him the city that shaped me, just feels right in a way I can’t explain.
“Yes. I’d love to go.”
His smile could power the entire Manhattan grid. “Really? No pros and cons list? No spreadsheet analyzing the optimal timing?”
“Don’t push it,” I warn, but I’m laughing. “I can still change my mind.”
He starts the car, still grinning. “No take-backs. It’s already in the calendar.”
As we join the traffic, I look back at the glass tower of Parras Law. I spent seven years climbing that mountain, only to find the top wasn’t what I wanted. The anxious voice I expected, the one that always tells me I’ve made a mistake, is quiet for once.
“So where are we going for lunch?” I ask, tucking the tickets carefully into my purse.
“That’s another surprise. But I will say it involves champagne and possibly embarrassing speeches from Demi.”
“Oh no, please tell me you didn’t.”
“I did. She threatened bodily harm if she wasn’t invited to celebrate your jailbreak. Her words, not mine.” He glances over. “Everyone is very proud of you, Honeybee.”
