Chapter 6

KAREN

It was a brand new day, and for the first time in a long while, I woke up feeling light.

Not just good, but truly energized.

The sunlight slipping through my curtains seemed brighter than usual. Even the air felt different, carrying the kind of freshness that only came when life was moving in your favor. I stood in front of the mirror while fastening the buttons of my blouse and smiled at my own reflection.

Things were finally aligning.

From the hallway, I could hear Sophie laughing. That sound alone always softened something inside me. I stepped out of my room and found her in the living room, sitting on the rug with her toys scattered around her like she owned the place.

Which, to be fair, she did.

Sarah, the nanny, stood nearby folding tiny clothes.

“Good morning, ma'am,” Sarah greeted warmly.

“Morning, Sarah.”

Sophie looked up immediately. “Mommy!”

I bent down and scooped her into my arms, kissing her cheek until she squealed with laughter.

“My princess. Slept well?”

She nodded seriously, then add “Mommy, can I have ice-cream?”

I laughed, fondling her cheek. “Of course, my love.” 

After setting her down, I turned to Sarah and began going over the day’s routine.

“She needs her vitamins after breakfast. Please make sure she naps by noon this time. And then maybe when she wakes, you can go get her some ice-cream. You could maybe buy some more so you can store them in the refrigerator.”

Sarah nodded. “Yes, ma'am.”

I smiled. “Alright then. Please keep your eyes on her, alright?”

Sarah laughed softly. “I’ll handle her.”

“And no cartoons until after lunch.”

Sophie gasped in betrayal. “Mommy!”

“You heard me,” I said, trying not to laugh.

I gave Sarah a few more instructions, then crouched to Sophie’s level.

“I’ll be back before you know it, okay?”

Sophie nodded, smiling. “Bye, mommy!”

I smiled back at her just as I began to walk to the door. “Bye, princess.”

By the time I got into the car, I still had that smile on my face.

***

The headquarters of A.A Biotech Group stood like a monument to years of stubbornness, sleepless nights, sacrifice, and faith. Tall glass walls reflected the morning sun, and as my car pulled into the driveway, I took a moment to admire it.

Mine.

No, not mine alone.

Ours.

Every employee who had believed in the dream. Every person who stayed when things were rough. Every person who trusted my leadership when results had not yet come.

The lobby doors opened, and I walked in.

Almost immediately, heads turned.

Some people straightened when they saw me. Others nodded respectfully. A few smiled with open admiration. I was used to attention, but today it felt heavier.

Reverence.

I knew why.

It wasn’t every day any company rose against a giant like Palmer Group and came out on top.

“Congratulations, ma’am.”

“Brilliant work, Ms. Karen. Well done!”

I responded with polite smiles and short thanks as I moved through the building. Internally, though, I allowed myself to enjoy it.

Because I had earned it.

I entered the elevator and pressed the top floor button. As the doors closed, I exhaled slowly.

The war wasn’t over, but at least, we had won a major battle.

***

When I stepped into my office, Janet and Gerald were already there waiting for me.

Janet, my CFO, had her tablet in hand and an impatient expression on her face. Gerald, the COO, stood beside the window with both hands behind his back.

Janet looked at her wristwatch dramatically.

“You’re late.”

I dropped my handbag on the desk. “Good morning to you too.”

Before I could even sit down, she lifted the tablet.

“Have you seen the updates yet?”

“No,” I said, dropping my bag on the desk. “What's up?”

Her eyes widened. “Karen, in the last seventeen hours alone, more key investors have reached out requesting meetings.”

That got my full attention.

I slowly sat down. “How many?”

“Enough to keep us occupied for weeks,” she said. “Most of them are saying the same thing.”

“And what’s that?”

Janet smirked. “That they regret not investing in A.A Biotech Group sooner.”

I leaned back in my chair.

I felt it again, that warm feeling in my chest.

Janet stepped forward, voice full of excitement.

“Only your kind of visionary leadership could have taken us this far.”

I let out a low chuckle.

“You want a bonus, don’t you?”

“I want two.”

We all laughed, then Gerald finally spoke.

“Our clinching of the Federal Innovation Initiative contract changed everything,” he said. “It acted as a catalyst. The German market approval moved faster than expected.”

I straightened. “How fast?”

“We now have solid entry into Europe.”

For a moment, I forgot to breathe.

Europe!

Do you know how many doors that opened? How many years companies chased opportunities like that and never got close?

Now, we had the ability to expand our reach.

I wanted to jump up and scream.

Instead, I simply smiled.

“That’s excellent news.”

Gerald smiled. “We know.”

I folded my hands on the desk.

“This wouldn’t have happened without you—all of you. Your loyalty, your discipline, your work ethic... I don’t take it for granted.”

Janet softened a little. “Well, now I feel bad for demanding a bonus.”

“You should.”

We all laughed again.

After a few more minutes of light discussion, schedules, projections, and upcoming meetings, they excused themselves and left my office.

The room fell silent.

***

I leaned back in my chair and released a long breath.

Then I smiled to myself.

Everything I had built with blood and determination was beginning to bloom exactly the way I imagined.

Richard had underestimated me. Many people had.

They all saw me as a woman, a single mother, a founder with no powerful family backing.

They all thought I would fold eventually, but instead, I was building an empire.

I turned slightly in my chair and looked out at the city skyline through the wide glass windows.

The future was bright. Brighter than it had ever been.

A knock came on the door just then, interrupting my thoughts.

I glanced toward it.

“Yes, come in.”

The door opened carefully, and one of the cleaners stepped in. She looked nervous, holding a bouquet of flowers wrapped in elegant paper.

“Good morning, ma’am,” she said.

“Morning.”

She approached my desk.

“This was just delivered for Ms. Karen by a courier service.”

I frowned.

“For me?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I stared at the flowers.

I rarely received gifts, and the people close enough to send any would have called first.

Slowly, I reached out and took them.

“Thank you.”

She nodded and quickly left.

The moment the door closed, the office felt strangely colder.

I looked down at the bouquet. White lilies and red roses.

They were beautiful, too beautiful.

Attached to the ribbon was a small folded note.

My pulse slowed then quickened.

I carefully pulled it free and unfolded it. My eyes moved across the words.

I saw her—our daughter. And this is to thank you for birthing us a very beautiful girl.

— R.

Everything inside me froze. My fingers tightened around the paper.

The room suddenly felt too quiet, too still. The bouquet slipped from my hand and landed softly on the desk, but the sound felt thunderous in my ears as I stood there, staring into empty space.