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Growing process

작가: November
last update 최신 업데이트: 2025-11-21 17:15:23

Lynn's POV

I barely recognized myself in the mirror. The deep navy silk dress Marcus had "borrowed" hugged my curves before flowing to the floor. My hair was swept up, makeup actually done properly. I looked like someone who belonged at a charity gala.

"You look beautiful."

I turned to find Armstrong in the doorway, devastating in his tuxedo.

"You clean up nice too," I managed.

He crossed the room and pulled out a velvet box. "They're on loan," he said, revealing diamond jewelry. "From a jeweler I do business with. You'll be photographed tonight, and I want them to see you confident and successful."

I let him fasten the necklace, the diamonds cool and heavy against my skin.

The Grand Bellamy was everything I expected…crystal chandeliers, designer gowns, champagne. Photographers swarmed us outside, but Armstrong guided me through with a steady hand at my back.

"Armstrong! Good to see you." A distinguished older man approached. "And who is this lovely young lady?"

"Lynn Sheldon," I said
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  • MARRIED WRONG, SOLD TO WEALTH    I’m Enough (The End)

    Lynn's POV - Six Months LaterI stood in Maya's childhood home, helping her into her wedding dress, and felt overwhelmed with gratitude. One year ago, I'd been broken and scared. Now I was here, watching my best friend marry the love of her life, living with a man who made me feel valued every single day."You look beautiful," I said, adjusting Maya's veil."You look happy," Maya replied, meeting my eyes in the mirror. "Really, genuinely happy.""I am.""How are things with Armstrong?""Good. Really good." I smiled. "We're partners, you know? He respects my career, my independence. We make decisions together. It's nothing like…""Like Festy," Maya finished. "You can say his name, Lynn. He doesn't have power over you anymore."She was right. Festy was a closed chapter now. I'd heard through Diane that he'd served his six months, gotten out, and moved to another state. I felt nothing when I heard the news. Not anger, not relief, not even satisfaction. Just... nothing. He was irrelevan

  • MARRIED WRONG, SOLD TO WEALTH    My choice

    Lynn's POV"Ms. Sheldon, you're up."I stood, smoothing down my skirt, and walked to the front of the conference room. The Henderson Restaurant Group executives sat around the table, their expressions professionally neutral. Patricia gave me an encouraging nod from her seat.This was it. Three months of work, countless late nights, endless revisions. The Henderson account could make or break my career at Meridian.I took a deep breath and began."Henderson Restaurant Group has been a beloved fixture in this region for thirty years. But in today's market, nostalgia alone isn't enough. You need to evolve while staying true to your roots. That's what this campaign does."I clicked through my presentation, showing the market research, the demographic analysis, and the proposed social media strategy. I'd worked with Jamie on the graphics, stayed late with Patricia refining the messaging. This wasn't just my work…it was a team effort. But I was the one presenting it, defending it, selling

  • MARRIED WRONG, SOLD TO WEALTH    Healing together

    Armstrong's POVI stood in the doorway of Lynn's new apartment; a modest one-bedroom in a decent neighborhood…and watched her direct the movers where to place her minimal furniture. She'd insisted on paying for everything herself: the deposit, the rent, the furniture from IKEA that she'd assembled with Maya's help.Maya left shortly after, said it was ‘cause her wedding preparations but I knew she wanted to give us space. It was killing me not to just buy her a fully furnished luxury condo. But I understood why she needed this. Why she needed to do it herself."That's the last of it," the head mover said, and Lynn tipped them with money she'd earned herself.After they left, she turned to me with a bright smile. "What do you think?"I looked around the apartment. It was small…probably a quarter the size of my penthouse. The furniture was basic, the walls were bare, and the kitchen was the size of a closet. But it was hers. Earned with her own money, filled with her own choices."It

  • MARRIED WRONG, SOLD TO WEALTH    Rebuilding burnt bridges

    Lynn's POVI sat in the corner coffee shop, my hands wrapped around a latte, watching the door nervously. It had been three years since I'd seen Maya, and I had no idea what to expect. Would she be angry? Resentful? Or worse…indifferent?The bell above the door chimed, and then there she was. Maya looked exactly the same; wild curly hair, bright eyes, that infectious smile that had made us best friends in the first place. When she spotted me, her face lit up."Lynn!"She rushed over and pulled me into a fierce hug before I could even stand. I hugged her back, tears already streaming down my face."I'm so sorry," I sobbed into her shoulder. "I'm so, so sorry. You tried to warn me and I didn't listen and I cut you off and…""Shh." Maya pulled back, gripping my shoulders. "You have nothing to apologize for. He isolated you. That's what abusers do. I knew that, and I've been waiting for you to find your way back."We sat down, and for the next hour, I told her everything. The isolation,

  • MARRIED WRONG, SOLD TO WEALTH    Love and respect

    "Ms. Sheldon, this is excellent work."I looked up from my computer to find Patricia standing at my desk, reviewing the campaign proposal I'd submitted for a local bakery client. It was my third week at Meridian, and I was finally starting to feel like I belonged. "Thank you," I said. "I thought the nostalgic angle would resonate with their target demographic.""It's perfect. I'm putting you on the Henderson account."My eyes widened. Henderson was one of Meridian's biggest clients…a regional restaurant chain looking to expand. "Are you sure? I've only been here three weeks.""And in those three weeks, you've proven yourself more capable than people I've had here for three years." Patricia smiled. "You're ready, Lynn. Trust me."After she walked away, I allowed myself a moment of pure joy. This was proof that I could do this, that I belonged in this world.My phone buzzed. A text from Armstrong: How's work?Just got assigned a major account.Congratulations. Dinner tonight to celebra

  • MARRIED WRONG, SOLD TO WEALTH    Genuine hope

    LYNN’S POVI sat in Armstrong's kitchen at four in the morning, watching him wince as the private doctor he called cleaned the wound on his shoulder. It wasn't as bad as I'd feared…a deep gash that would bruise spectacularly but didn't require stitches…but seeing Armstrong hurt because of me made my chest ache."You should have stayed upstairs," Armstrong said. "I heard the commotion. I was worried.""I had it under control.""He hit you with a bottle, Armstrong. That's not under control."The doctor…an older woman named Dr. Chen, who seemed completely unfazed by being summoned at this hour…finished bandaging Armstrong's shoulder and packed up her supplies. "You'll be fine. Ice it, take your drugs for the pain, and try not to do anything strenuous for a few days.""Define strenuous," Armstrong said dryly.Dr. Chen smiled. "Use your judgment. And Ms. Sheldon? Make sure he actually rests. He has a tendency to ignore medical advice."After she left, I made tea…with my shaking hands…an

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