Chapter 5: The File I Wasn't Meant to See

“I think this involves you, too.”

Ethan's words sat between us, and I hated that he still hadn't explained what he meant.

“What did they find?”

“I don't know enough yet. The call was about a problem with one of the properties connected to the acquisition. I need to get back to the office.”

I looked at the pregnancy test in my hand. “And this?”

His eyes dropped to it. His phone buzzed again.

“I’m not ignoring this, Mia. We need to talk properly. I’ll call you as soon as I know what's happening.”

I gave a short laugh. “I tell you I'm pregnant, and work calls, so work comes first.”

“That's not what I'm saying. Something urgent has happened, and I can't fix either situation by standing here pretending I know what to do.”

It was more honest than I expected. It still didn't make me feel better.

“I'll make my own decisions,” I said. “I'm not asking you to take over my life. But if you're involved in this, I expect you to be straight with me.”

“I will be.”

I wanted to believe him. That was the problem.

He hesitated by the door, then said, “Take care of yourself,” and left.

I leaned against the door after it closed.

A baby. Ethan. A business problem I knew nothing about.

I wasn't ready to tell Tessa or anyone else. For now, I needed to keep one part of my life from falling apart.

My job.

The next morning, I walked into Maison Luxe with coffee in one hand and my project folder in the other. I hadn't slept much, but I wasn't going to let anyone see that.

My manager, Clara, called me into her office.

“The Blackwood team liked your presentation,” she said. “They want you to lead the penthouse redesign in Ethan's building. It's an important project, and the acquisition team will be watching.”

I sat up. “They want me to lead it?”

“This could put you in a strong position for the senior designer role. But I need you focused, Mia. No missed deadlines. No distractions.”

“I can handle it.”

“I pushed for you to get this chance,” she said. “Don't waste it.”

The pressure settled in my chest. I couldn't afford to disappoint her or lose the promotion.

“Who will I report to?” I asked, though I already knew.

“Ethan. He'll be your main contact.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

By lunchtime, I was in the penthouse with my measuring tape, samples, and notebook. Ethan arrived while I was checking the kitchen measurements.

“You're early,” he said.

“I have a lot to do.”

“So do I.” He glanced at my notes. “Keep the renovation practical. No expensive extras, and I want it finished on schedule.”

“I'm trying to avoid spending money twice.” I showed him the layout. “If we keep the current lighting, the darker end of the room will need more fittings. Changing the placement now will save installation costs later.”

“Show me.”

I explained the plan. He asked questions, and I answered them. For a while, it was almost easy to forget everything else between us.

Then he pointed to the seating area. “That furniture can stay. Replacing it adds cost and time.”

“Some of it can. But the sofa blocks the balcony path.”

“Then move it.”

“I tried. It leaves the dining area cramped.” I turned my notebook around. “We keep the chairs, move the sofa, and use a smaller table. Clear walkway, no need to replace everything.”

He studied the sketch, then nodded. “Do that.”

I hadn't expected him to agree so quickly.

We checked the rooms and schedule. He was demanding, but he listened when I had a reason for pushing back. I could work with that.

Then I noticed the renovation notes included work beyond the penthouse.

“Why are tenant access dates listed here?” I asked.

“Some work may affect shared areas,” Ethan said, taking the sheet from me.

“People live here. They need proper notice, especially if contractors shut off water or electricity.”

“They'll be notified.”

“When? Some might not be able to leave at short notice. There are older people here, and families with kids.”

His expression tightened. “The wider redevelopment plans are still being discussed. I can't share every detail.”

“I didn't ask for every detail. I asked if the tenants have been considered.”

“They have.”

“Then why isn't there a clear plan in the documents?”

“Mia, this isn't part of your assignment.”

“It's part of the building I'm working in.”

“And I'll handle it.”

The words landed harder than they should have. Daniel used to say the same thing whenever I asked questions he didn't want to answer. Then I'd find out he'd been hiding something.

I packed my notes. “I'll stick to the penthouse. Just make sure the people living here aren't treated like they're in the way.”

Back at Maison Luxe, I tried to focus on the floor plan, but Ethan's guarded expression kept coming back to me.

I wasn't going to snoop through anything I had no right to see. But I could review the project materials I'd been given. If there was a tenant-impact plan, it should be there.

I opened the shared folder and checked the renovation schedule, then the cost sheets. Most of it was ordinary: contractor quotes, delivery dates, design revisions.

A folder marked “Acquisition Support” sat near the bottom. I clicked it, thinking it might contain updated building plans.

A document appeared. URGENT - RESTRICTED.

I almost closed it. Then I saw the address at the top.

My address.

I leaned closer. My apartment building was listed among the properties under consideration. Beneath it was a proposed change to the existing tenancy arrangements. Blackwood Developments was named on the agreement.

My fingers went cold on the mouse.

Before I could read the next section, a warning box appeared.

CONFIDENTIAL FILE. ACCESS HAS BEEN LOGGED. UNAUTHORIZED REVIEW WILL BE REPORTED.

I stared at the message, my pulse thudding in my ears.

Then my phone lit up beside the keyboard.

A message from Ethan.

“Don't open anything else. Call me. Now.”

I hadn't told him what I'd found.

So how did he know?