Ashes Between Us

Noisy Past

It was hot outside. The sweltering air shimmered above the ground. Levi stood at the prison gates in a white polo and blue jeans, one hand in his pocket, the other gripping the divorce papers. He glanced at his watch and sighed. His cab was already late.

He had ordered the ride twenty minutes ago, but there was still no sign of it.

“Where’s the damn cab?” he muttered.

A deep roar cut through the heat. Levi looked up. At first, he expected a taxi, but the long, dark shape rolling in from the horizon told him otherwise. A sleek black limousine pulled closer and stopped right in front of him. His eyes landed on the crest etched into the door. His jaw tightened.

“Shit,” he whispered.

Before he could move, the door opened. A young woman jumped out, her long black hair whipping in the sun, her olive skin glowing.

“Levi!” she screamed.

She threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her chest pressed against him as she clung tightly. Levi stayed stiff, his face sour. With a sharp exhale, he pried her off.

“What are you doing here, Rose?” he asked, meeting her hazel eyes.

“I came to see you. I heard you were getting out today,” she said without hesitation.

His brow rose.

“And how exactly did you know that?”

Rose smirked, tilting her chin proudly.

“Don’t underestimate my communication network.”

Levi almost smiled at her arrogance. But then her tone shifted.

“So… I heard you and Audrey are officially divorced?”

His mood soured at once. His gaze hardened.

“Is that why you’re here?” His voice came colder than he intended.

“No—God, no,” she said quickly. “I’m here to help a friend. I thought you wouldn’t have a place to stay, so I came to take you home. After all, you’re basically family.”

Levi stayed silent.

“I’m sorry,” she added softly.

He let out a long breath and nodded.

“I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“It’s fine. And thanks, but I already have a reservation at the Faraday Hotel.”

Rose’s face lit up.

“Really? Perfect. I’m staying there tonight for an event. I can drop you off.”

He hesitated, then shrugged. No harm in it. He gave her a nod, and without another word, they got into the car and drove off.

GYRO CORP

Inside a tall glass building, the board of directors gathered around a long table. The company was on the brink of collapse. Gyro Corp, once the world leader in communication technology, was sinking fast. Its young CEO, Barry Stark, had made reckless decisions that pushed them toward bankruptcy. Now, everyone waited for answers.

“We should lower product prices,” one director said.

The room murmured. Barry snapped back,

“Become an affordable option?”

“Selling cheap will only show the world we’re desperate. I won’t do it.”

The director hissed under his breath. Barry straightened his jacket.

“Any other suggestions?”

Silence.

“Good,” he said. “Because I have one.”

The room tensed. Everyone expected something bold—maybe reckless.

“I believe we need a merger,” Barry said. “With ZERO. They’re new but already at the top of the industry. They build both household and military machines. With our navigation system guiding their tech, the partnership would be unmatched.”

The board exchanged looks. It wasn’t a bad idea.

“But why would they merge with us?” one asked. “ZERO is thriving. They don’t need us. If anything, they’ll absorb us.”

The murmurs grew louder. Barry smirked.

“No, they won’t. To the world, we’re still leaders in navigation. Billions in revenue. No one knows the truth. We’ll use that image to pull them in. On paper, it looks like a partnership. In reality, we’ll gain more from them than they from us.”

He paused, watching their faces soften. They were starting to believe.

“And as for their CEO…” His smirk widened.

“She’s fresh off a divorce. She’ll be looking for a shoulder to lean on. That shoulder will be mine.”

The board erupted with whispers, but this time, more in agreement. Soon after, a vote was taken. The merger plan was approved.

FARADAY HOTEL

“Room 706, please,” Levi said to the receptionist.

“Name?”

“Levi Smith.”

The receptionist froze, eyes wide. His jaw dropped. Levi sighed. He had seen this before—recognition.

“My key?” he said quietly.

The receptionist blinked, scrambling to open a drawer. He pulled out a keycard and slid it across the counter.

“Here, sir. Enjoy your stay at the Faraday Hotel.”

Levi gave a polite nod, tapped the counter, and walked off.

Rose was waiting by the wall, arms crossed, a grin tugging her lips. She straightened as he approached.

“Done?” she asked.

He nodded. She glanced at the card in his hand.

“706,” she read aloud. She pulled out her own card, holding it up with a smile.

“708. We’re on the same floor.”

Levi sighed. He had hoped to shake her off by now. No such luck.

“Go ahead,” Levi said. “I can’t be seen with the Chief of Commerce’s daughter heading up a hotel stair.”

She frowned.

“You’re far too conscious. You know that, right?”

Levi shook his head. With his job, and with his life, he couldn’t afford to be careless.

Rose studied him for a moment, her expression softening. She reached forward, brushing her hand against his arm.

“Don’t take too long,” she whispered.

She leaned in, kissed his cheek, and hurried toward the stairs before he could respond. Levi stood frozen, caught between irritation and reluctant warmth. He couldn’t stop the small smile that tugged at his lips.

Then it happened.

A bright flash of light lit the lobby. Levi’s gaze shot toward the glass doors. Instantly, his eyes fell on two faces he didn’t want to see—Savannah and Parker Valentine. Audrey’s mother and younger brother.

“Well, what do we have here?” Parker mocked as they stepped forward.

Levi cursed under his breath. His luck had been rotten tonight.

“How are you out?” Savannah asked, surprised. Her voice was calm and polite, unlike her son’s.

“Good behavior,” he replied coldly.

To outsiders, Savannah and Parker looked like class and poise, but Levi knew better. He had lived in the same mansion as them.

Savannah smirked.

“Is that so? And how did the divorce talks go with my daughter?”

Her question was sharp, calculated.

“Don’t worry. I finalized it today. But as you can see, her end hasn’t been held up yet.” He lifted the envelope slightly.

“Don’t blame her for the divorce still.”

Savannah’s face twisted.

“Blame my daughter? Are you stupid?” she snapped, taking the bait.

“Swine like you never deserved to be in our family. You’re a criminal and a killer. That’s all you are.”

Levi’s glare hardened.

“How dare you look at my mother that way?” Parker snarled.

He rushed at Levi, arm raised. He tried to strike him, but Levi dodged, caught his hand, and tossed him aside. Parker crashed to the floor with a cry.

“You broke my arm!” he wailed.

Savannah dropped to her son’s side, shrieking.

“Somebody help! Call security!”