Chapter 1

I spent five years as Noah's copilot, and five more as his secret lover that couldn't be acknowledged.

On our anniversary, his ex sent me a text: "Guess which position we just unlocked?"

The photo showed the exact move Noah had me try in bed last week.

That moment, I understood—every trick he knew, she'd taught him.

I took a picture of the captain transfer papers I'd hidden for three months and replied: "Congrats. But while you're busy unlocking new positions, I'm charting a flight path he'll never catch."

Then I signed my name—bound for Seattle, captain of GF028.

Five years of playing second fiddle ends here. From now on, I fly east, he flies west. Thirty thousand feet up, our paths will never cross.

I'm my own captain now.

……

After five years as Noah Hunt's copilot, I finally decided to accept the document that would change my life.

"Skyler, you've been Noah's second-in-command for five years. With your skills, you should've been flying solo years ago. Are you really spending another year living in his shadow?"

Robert pulled a promotion application from his drawer and slid it across the desk.

"An elite pilot like you should've been leading your own crew three years ago. Think it over these next few days—do you want to keep being Noah's supporting act, or seize the chance to become our first female captain?"

Hearing Noah's name made my eyes burn.

I lowered my gaze and reached for the form. "Thank you. I'll give it serious thought."

Ten PM, Manhattan apartment.

I pushed open the door to a spacious living room filled only with the low hum of the air conditioner. I kicked off my heels and walked barefoot to the entryway.

That photo was still there—Noah and me standing side by side in front of a Boeing 787, both in uniform, smiling brightly.

Five years. A full five years.

Everyone at the company thought Noah and I were just the golden duo in the cockpit. Little did they know, we were just as compatible in bed.

After graduating from flight school and joining the company, meeting Noah, we'd set one partnership record after another.

Back then, Noah pursued me relentlessly.

For my birthday, he spent three months designing a flight route that traced my name on the GPS map.

To care for me when I was injured, this man who never did housework mastered a full suite of physical therapy techniques, giving me two-hour rehab sessions every day.

Under Noah's constant devotion, I fell.

To protect his career—the company prohibited relationships between captains and copilots—I agreed to keep things secret.

By day, we piloted 787s together, flying from New York to LA, crossing the entire American continent.

By night, we shared a bed, his kisses ranging from passionate to tender, introducing me to eighty-one different positions.

Two people so perfectly matched, mentally and physically—yet looking back now, all I taste is bitterness.

I don't know how long I stood there before the lock clicked and Noah walked in wearing his white uniform. "Still up?"

The unfamiliar perfume scent on him made me frown. "Too many night flights. My sleep schedule's a mess."

I'd been on leave this time, not flying with Noah.

Noah didn't notice my exhaustion and pulled a velvet box from his pocket.

"Got you a gift on this last flight."

My eyes flickered as I reached out to take it.

Inside the box, a Cartier diamond bracelet lay on satin, blindingly bright.

Three months ago, I'd mentioned it casually on a plane. He remembered.

I should have been moved.

If I hadn't seen the same bracelet on Bella's Instagram two days ago.

In her photo, she wore the bracelet while taking a mirror selfie, her flight attendant uniform showing off her perfect figure, the diamond bracelet especially dazzling on her wrist.

Caption: "Captain Hunt has excellent taste! This Cartier bracelet symbolizes eternity!"

In the comments, a colleague wrote: "Did you and Noah get back together? This bracelet is so perfect on you!"

Bella replied: "Don't read too much into it ��."

Now, looking at the diamond bracelet in the box, something heavy settled in my chest.

Five years together, and only then did I learn that Bella was Noah's ex-girlfriend.

No wonder at every team gathering, he always drove Bella home.

While I, to hide our relationship, had to take cabs alone.

The bracelet he bought for me appeared on his ex-girlfriend's wrist first. In that moment, I wanted to laugh.

"What's wrong?" Noah noticed my silence. "Don't like it? I waited in line six hours to get it. Didn't you say you really wanted it on the plane?"

I closed the lid and said quietly, "Don't really want it anymore."

Just like I don't really want this man I've loved for five years anymore.

Noah frowned. "If it doesn't suit you, I'll get you something else next time."

He headed toward the bathroom.

I watched his back, my heart aching.

Next time he'll buy me something else—will Bella also get one first, or will he buy two identical items?

Pulling myself back to the present, my gaze fell on the application form the jewelry box was crushing, and I smiled bitterly.

I'd deliberately placed this document in the most visible spot, yet Noah had completely ignored it.

This unequal relationship—maybe it had been my one-woman show from the start.

I took a deep breath and dialed Robert's number.

"Robert, I accept the transfer. I'm applying for the GF028 route."

Silence on the other end for two seconds. "GF028 and Noah's 787 go completely opposite directions—one east, one west. Choose this route and your flight paths will never intersect. You sure?"

I gripped the phone, knuckles white. "I'm sure."

Even if it means never seeing him again in this lifetime, I'll take this route.

"Alright." Robert sighed. "I'll submit your promotion application. Finish your handover and report to Aurora Airlines in Seattle by the end of the month."

My eyes flashed with light. "Thank you."

After hanging up, I signed the application form. Skyler Evans. Every stroke drawing a boundary.