Chapter 4 - The Truth at 35,000 FeetAt thirty-five thousand feet, Marcus leveled off and engaged the autopilot. Below them, a sea of golden clouds stretched to the horizon as the sun began to set.
Victoria unbuckled her seatbelt and walked slowly toward the open cockpit door. She stood there, watching the calm, effortless way Marcus monitored the instruments.
"Who are you?" she asked softly, all the ice gone from her voice. "Janitors don't fly like that."
Marcus kept his eyes on the horizon. "I used to be a test pilot for military prototypes. High-risk aircraft."
"What happened?"
"An accident six years ago. Hydraulic failure. My co-pilot didn't make it," Marcus said quietly. "Three months later, my wife died of cancer. I had a toddler who had already lost his mother. I couldn't risk leaving him completely alone, so I grounded myself. I took a job that let me be home every day at 3:00 PM."
Victoria stared at him, a wave of profound guilt and realization washing over her. "You gave up the sky for your son."
"I did," Marcus said. "Why haven't you spoken to your father in three years?"
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Victoria blinked in surprise, her eyes welling with tears. "We argued about the company. He thought I was becoming cold and ruthless. I thought I had time to prove him wrong..."
Marcus looked back at her with gentle understanding. "You'll make it in time."
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