"You pick whoever makes you happiest," Kiara says softly—and this time she means it. Maya smiles like she's already won and leans on Kiara's desk as if that advice is a trophy she earned. "That's easy for you to say," Maya purrs. "You always have an answer." "Not tonight," Kiara replies. She taps her keyboard as if closing a case file. Emmett clears his throat. "Ki, what do you think? If Maya goes with Luciano to the rooftop after the pitch, is that a green light for the livestream collab?" Maya's laugh slides through the open office. "Green light? Emmett, you're so cute when you worry." "Cut the cute, Maya," Kiara says. "Just tell me what you want to do. I'm not making choices for you." "That's the point," Maya says, eyes bright. "I want you to pick. You always pick for me." "Not anymore," Kiara says. The sentence is plain. It lands. Maya's grin stumbles. "Kiara—" "No," Kiara says. "I won't be your shoulder tonight, Maya. I'm not cancelling your bad choices either. You pick. You face the fallout." A silence snaps into the office. Two junior producers glance over. A streamer in a headset freezes mid-feed. Someone's phone vibrates and the ringtone turns into an awkward beat. "You're serious?" Emmett asks, and his voice is small. "Yes," Kiara says. "I'm serious enough to text you both. Stay with her. Keep her close." Emmett