My head was still resting against his shoulder, and he had taken care not to wake either Lily or me.
“You slept for over two hours,” he said with a gentle smile.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, embarrassed.
“I’ve been in more uncomfortable situations.”
At that moment, a flight attendant came over.
“Mr. Whitman, your security team is waiting after we land.”
I looked at him in disbelief.
“Security team?”
He let out a sigh.
“You don’t know who I am, do you?”
I shook my head slowly.
“I’m Noah Whitman. Whitman Group.”
My heart seemed to miss a beat.
That name was familiar to practically everyone. Technology companies, financial institutions, charitable foundations, towering buildings—the Whitman business empire appeared to reach into everything.
“You’re… that Noah Whitman?”
He gave a small nod.
“And you’re the first person in months who treated me like an ordinary passenger.”
I hadn’t found the words to respond when his phone began vibrating.
He examined the message, and the warmth vanished entirely from his expression.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
He met my eyes directly.
“Emily… someone has been asking airport security where to find you.”
The aircraft landed, and suddenly I understood that my attempt to escape my past might already have failed before it truly started.
For illustration purposes only
The tires struck the runway with a harsh jolt, startling Lily awake against my chest.
For a brief, frozen moment, everyone remained still.
Then the familiar commotion of landing took over—seat belts unclasping, luggage compartments being opened, phones sounding with incoming notifications, and travelers stretching as though the flight had not silently divided my entire existence into two different lives.
Next to me, Noah Whitman gripped his phone, tension visible along his jaw.
