Lines We Cross

Chapter 37

The sun was already setting over New York City as YN glanced around the boardroom, trying to keep her focus. She shifted in her seat, fingers tapping lightly on the edge of her notepad. A habit she'd developed over the last few months. When she felt overwhelmed or distracted—when thoughts of Elizabeth would sneak up on her—she'd tap, grounding herself, reminding herself of where she was and why.

"...the projections for the quarter look promising, but we need to evaluate our next moves with precision," a man's voice said at the head of the table. YN's father sat next to her, his posture a mirror of strength and confidence she'd learned to emulate.

The last three months had been a blur, filled with meetings like this one, business calls, and endless travel between New York and New Haven. She'd fallen into this routine, balancing her university workload and these Sterling responsibilities, as if she had never known any other life. And that was the point, wasn't it? To slip so seamlessly into the mold her family had created for her that she'd forget there had ever been a different version of herself.

But she hadn't forgotten. Not really.

As her mind began to drift, she felt her dad's hand tap her arm, a subtle reminder to focus. She straightened, her eyes finding his, and she gave a quick nod. The last thing she wanted was for him to think she wasn't all in. Because she was now. She'd made that deal, promised herself she would honor it, no matter the cost.

Finally, the meeting wrapped up, and the board members began filing out. YN gathered her things, her father's voice pulling her back as she slipped her notepad into her bag.

"You handled yourself well today," Alexander said, his tone approving.

YN nodded, mustering a small smile. "Thank you."

The two walked side by side through the office corridors, the silence between them comfortable but filled with unspoken expectations. YN had learned to navigate this, letting her silence fill the gaps, her mind replaying her decisions over and over until they felt like second nature.

As they reached the front lobby, he glanced over, studying her with a small crease between his brows. "It's... impressive, YN. The dedication you've shown these past few months."

There was a warmth in his voice, something close to pride, but YN felt only a hollow satisfaction. "Just trying to do what's expected," she replied, the words automatic, almost rehearsed.

He gave her a small nod, as though they had just reached a mutual understanding. They stepped into the elevator, the doors closing with a soft hiss, and YN couldn't help but notice her reflection in the mirrored walls. Her expression was unreadable, her posture perfect, but the eyes staring back at her felt like someone she didn't recognize.

The drive back to the family's Brownstone was quiet. The city's lights blurred by as she rested her head against the window, exhaustion tugging at her thoughts. She hadn't truly rested in months. Her days had become a cycle of business, school, and more business, the distractions just enough to drown out everything else.

When they arrived home, her mother's voice drifted from the study, a soft hum as she worked, surrounded by her own stack of papers and books. YN hung her coat and walked into the study, surprised to find her mom looking up from her work with a knowing smile.

"Busy day?" Claudia asked, watching her daughter carefully, her gaze warmer, more open than it had been in a while.

"Very." YN crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe. "It's... manageable."

Her mom looked at her, eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to decipher a secret. She gestured for YN to come closer, and YN stepped inside, resting against the edge of her mother's desk.