Five years later , I stood in the gleaming corridors of Reed Aerospace Technologies , barely recognizing the woman I'd become . The transition from MIT to Reed Industries had been swift and brutal . Within six months , we'd transformed a traditional aerospace manufacturer into a cutting - edge technology company , with Felix as CEO and me as his Executive Vice President of Research and Development . On paper , we were partners . In practice , I'd slowly watched myself become his very well - educated assistant . " The Morrison Foundation contracts need your signature , " I said , entering Felix's corner office with the quarterly reports in hand . The Boston skyline stretched out behind him , a testament to how far we'd climbed . Felix looked up from his computer , and for a moment I caught a glimpse of the man I'd fallen in love with at MIT . Then the moment passed , and he was all business again . " Just leave them on the desk . I'll review them later . " His attention was already back on his screen , fingers flying across the keyboard . " Oh , and cancel my 3 PM . Something's come up . " " That's the third meeting you've canceled this week , " I said , trying to keep my voice neutral . " The investors are starting to notice . " " The investors can wait . This satellite contract is worth more than all their concerns combined . " I set the papers down harder than necessary . " Felix , when was the last time we actually discussed research ? Real research , not profit margins and market projections ? " He finally looked at me fully , and I saw irritation flicker across his features . " Drielle , we've been through this . Research doesn't happen in a vacuum . We need revenue to fund innovation , and revenue requires commercial applications . " " When did you start sounding like your father ? " The words slipped out before I could stop them . Felix's expression hardened immediately . " My father built this company into what it is today . Maybe it's time I started listening to him . " " And what about what we built ? What about the Mars project , the deep space initiatives we planned ? " " Are all still in development , with better funding and resources than we ever had at MIT . " Felix stood up , his voice taking on the authoritative tone he used in board meetings . " Drielle , I appreciate your passion for pure research , but we have responsibilities now . Shareholders , employees , contracts worth billions . " " Responsibilities , " I repeated hollowly . " Is that what I am now ? Another responsibility ? " Felix's expression softened slightly . " You know that's not what I meant . " But I wasn't sure I did know anymore . Over the past five years , I'd watched Felix transform from the idealistic researcher I'd fallen in love with into someone I barely recognized . Someone who spoke in corporate buzzwords and saw everything , including me , in terms of strategic value . " I'm going home , " I said quietly . " Don't wait up . " I was halfway to the door when Felix's voice stopped me . " Drielle . " His tone was gentler now , almost pleading . " I know this isn't what we planned . But everything I've built , everything we've accomplished - it's all been for us . For our future . " I turned back to look at him , standing behind his massive executive desk in his perfectly tailored suit , and felt the distance between us like a physical ache . " What future , Felix ? Because from where I'm standing , it looks like you've built an empire and forgotten to leave room for me in it . "