CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR – A BOND OF PAIN

In the days that followed, as the company dealt with the aftermath of the fire, Miguel and Karina found themselves working more closely than ever. The shared experience had created a bond between them, one that was hard to ignore. Miguel's attitude towards Karina began to soften. He found himself more open to her ideas, more willing to support her initiatives. During a meeting about the reconstruction of the damaged office space, Miguel surprised everyone by backing Karina's proposal for a more modern, collaborative layout. "I think Karina's idea has merit," he said, nodding towards her. "It could improve productivity and team morale." Karina blinked in surprise, unused to such open support from Miguel. "Thank you," she said, a small smile playing on her lips. Their colleagues noticed the change in dynamic. Elena nudged Sarah during a coffee break, nodding towards where Miguel and Karina were deep in discussion over some blueprints. "Is it just me, or has something changed between