We Will Love Again – Episode 44
Alaina sent the investment documents to Noah without greeting. The old fear returned instantly: he had respected her boundaries only until money offered a hidden route around them.
Noah called at once. “I didn’t authorize this.”
“It came from your company.”
“That doesn’t mean it came from me.” His answer was calm rather than defensive. “Give me an hour.”
Aaron traced the commitment to Triple AI’s media-technology fund. The selection committee had approved the project through an automated portfolio review.
Noah had recused himself from the fund after the Crazy Maple scandal. He had neither seen Alaina’s application nor influenced the vote.
Alaina learned that her producer submitted the project without telling her, hoping the famous connection would help.
“It was approved on audience data and rights ownership,” Aaron explained. “Your name was masked during scoring.”
Relief mixed with shame. Alaina had accused Noah because history made suspicion easier than trust.
She called him. “I’m sorry.”
“You had evidence and asked a question.” Noah paused. “That is better than pretending nothing bothered you.”
Their progress revealed itself in small differences. No one hung up, retaliated, or created a lie for the other person’s benefit.
Alaina confronted the producer about submitting without consent. The funding benefited the series, but the decision still crossed a line.
The producer apologized and revised the contract to require Alaina’s approval for future financing.
Production resumed with the ending intact. Alaina watched the first completed scene on a monitor and felt the story become independent of her pain.
In Los Angeles, Noah received the expansion results. The project had exceeded its targets, freeing one weekend for travel.
He booked a flight, then stopped before confirming. A surprise visit would be romantic only if Alaina wanted it.
“Would it disrupt your work if I came Saturday?” he asked.
Her immediate smile traveled through her voice. “No. Come.”
Hours before his flight, the production schedule changed. Alaina would be filming an intimate love scene when Noah arrived.