Power does not tolerate imbalance for long.
The day after Mira officially assumed her role as Executive Director, the country shifted its gaze.
Not away from her.
Toward him.
Adrian Vale woke up to thirty-two missed calls.
He did not check them immediately.
He lay still, staring at the ceiling while the early morning light slipped through the curtains, soft and indifferent.
Mira was already awake.
She sat at the edge of the bed, scrolling through briefing documents on her tablet. She looked different, not distant, not hardened, just focused in a new way.
He studied her quietly.
This was the version of her who built structures.
He loved that version.
He just didn't yet know where he stood inside it.
Her phone buzzed.
She muted it without looking up.
"You're up," she said gently.
"I am."
"You didn't sleep much."
"Neither did you."
She glanced at him and smiled faintly.
"We're adjusting."
That word again.
Adjusting.
He nodded once.
