The Woman He Let Go

One year later

Valeria sat behind her glass desk, her fingers absentmindedly tapping a rhythm against her sleek black sketchbook. The floor-to-ceiling windows of her office framed the bustling New York skyline, but her eyes weren’t seeing any of it. Her mind was swirling with ideas for Noir De Luxe’s upcoming winter collection.

She sighed, dragging her fingers through her soft brown waves as she murmured, “Velvet, maybe... with a little touch of red. Or something softer?”

Suddenly, the door burst open, and her best friend Elena walked in, her honey-blonde curls bouncing with every step. She clutched a tablet in one hand, the other raised in triumph.

“Val! We got it!” Elena announced happily showing off her perfect white teeth. 

Valeria blinked, completely startled. “Got what?”

“The Serene Enterprises deal!” Elena squealed, her eyes bright with joy. “They just sent over the signed documents. It’s official. We're in!”

Valeria’s lips parted in disbelief. She stood slowly, as realization dawned on her . “You’re serious?”

Elena nodded. “Dead serious. We're going global, V. This is huge.”

A stunned laugh escaped Valeria’s lips as she pulled Elena into a tight hug. “God, I can’t believe it. You know, sometimes I still feel like I’m going to wake up back in that tiny studio apartment with nothing but a sewing machine and a single table.”

Elena pulled back slightly, grinning. “You didn’t get here by dreaming, babe. You worked your ass off. We both did.”

Valeria's smile faltered for a second, a flicker of emotion crossing her eyes. “I wouldn't have made it without you. Especially after….” She hesitated, her voice softening, “after everything with Ares.”

Elena’s expression became stern. “Don’t even mention his name. That man didn’t deserve a single piece of your heart.”

Valeria exhaled shakily, moving back to her desk and tracing her finger along the edge. “I know. I know that now. But some wounds... they just don’t fade so easily.”

There was a brief silence between them and then Elena broke it gently.

“Speaking of heartaches,” she began, her voice cheerful. “I got an invite this morning. There is a Charity gala to be held this evening.”

Valeria gave a soft chuckle. “And let me guess, you’re dragging me with you?”

“Correction,” Elena smirked. “We were both invited. You’re the face of Noir De Luxe now, and it’s time you reminded everyone just how far you’ve come.”

Valeria rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “You always know how to guilt-trip me into dressing up.”

Elena hesitated, then added, “And... there’s a strong chance Ares and Celeste will be there.”

The name cut through the room making Valeria freeze.

 “Celeste?” she repeated carefully. 

Elena nodded slowly. “Rumor has it they’ll be making some public appearance. Power couple and all that bullshit.”

Valeria swallowed hard. Her eyes drifted toward the framed photo on her shelf, a picture of her holding her daughter, Stephanie. She was wrapped in a tiny blanket, only a day old. That child had been her rock getting her through hard times. 

“They got married two months after the divorce,” she said quietly. “Like I never existed. Like we were never anything.”

Elena walked closer, her hand softly squeezing Valeria's. “He tried to break you, Val. Publicly humiliated you. But look where you are now. You have your own empire. You own legacy. ”

Valeria smiled bitterly. “And yet the thought of standing in the same room with him makes me want to vanish.”

Elena took her hand. “You’re not the same woman he left behind. You’ve got power now. You'll walk into that gala with your head high and your heels higher and show him what he lost.”

Valeria stared at her for a moment, then took a breath and nodded. “You’re right. This isn’t about him. It’s business. And I’ll handle it like I always do, with my head held high.”

“That’s my girl,” Elena said with a proud grin before glancing at her phone. “Alright, I’m heading home to get things ready. I already called a babysitter for Stephanie. She’s one of my closest friends. Don't worry she's trustworthy, warm and totally obsessed with kids.”

Valeria's shoulders relaxed a bit. “You sure she can handle Stephanie? She’s been a bit fussy this week.”

Elena nodded. “I promise. Aurora’s practically raised her baby cousins. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

Still, a flicker of fear passed through Valeria’s eyes. She stepped closer to Elena and whispered, “You don’t think... Ares might’ve found out, do you? About Stephanie?”

Elena’s eyes softened. “No, Val. You’re safe. Stephanie’s safe. You’ve done everything right. And tonight, you’re going to be the goddess you were born to be.”

Valeria nodded, though she still felt uncertain. Elena smiled gently and then walked toward the door. “Now round up your work and don’t be late. I picked out your dress, and I swear, you’re gonna love it.”

Valeria narrowed her eyes. “It better not be too revealing.”

Elena winkes. “A little mystery never hurts anyone. Trust me, you’ll thank me tonight.”

**************

Four Hours Later

Valeria stood in front of the mirror in Elena’s bedroom, her breath catching as her reflection came into full view. The deep red gown hugged her figure in all the right places. A single slit ran up her right leg, stopping just below the thigh. The neckline was low which showed off her good collarbones. Her red hair was styled to perfection which complemented her green eyes. 

Elena stepped in behind her, adjusting Valeria’s hair from behind and dabbing some foundation on her cheekbones. “Okay, who is this radiant enchantress, and what did she do with my best friend?”

Valeria chuckled. “You’re ridiculous.”

“You’re breathtaking,” Elena corrected, slipping into her own gown, an emerald green gown similar to Valeria’s design but in different colors. They both stared into the mirror. 

“Look at us,” Elena grinned. “We’re so pretty, it’s actually unfair.”

Valeria laughed for the first time in what felt like weeks. “We’re going to turn heads tonight.”

“Damn right we are.”

Before they left, Valeria tiptoed into the nursery, where Stephanie slept peacefully, her tiny fingers curled around a stuffed bunny. Valeria leaned in and brushed a gentle kiss on her daughter’s forehead, whispering, “Mommy loves you.”

She lingered for a second, watching the slow rise and fall of her baby’s chest, and then turned away.

Elena was already waiting near the door with the babysitter, a woman in her early thirties with kind eyes and caramel brown skin. She smiled warmly as Valeria approached.

“Hi, I’m Aurora,” she said, extending her hand. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this covered. Stephanie and I are gonna have the best night ever.”

Valeria looked into her eyes, searching for any sign of weakness but found only confidence.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

Elena gave her a thumbs up, and the two women climbed into the backseat of Valeria’s sleek black SUV. The city lights blurred past them as the car drove through the city of New York. Elena could sense Valeria's uneasiness. 

“Hey,” she said, placing a hand over Valeria’s. “It’s going to be okay. Remember, you don’t owe anyone anything, not even him.”

Valeria stared out the window, her voice barely a whisper. “I know. I just... I want to walk in there and feel nothing.”

“You will,” Elena said firmly. “Or at the very least, you’ll fake it so well that he’ll wish he never let you go.”

As soon as they arrived, the driver opened the door, and camera flashes blurred their visions. Reporters swarmed like bees, hungry for a scandal. Valeria stepped out confidently with Elena right behind her, but the moment she set foot on the red carpet, a reporter shouted above the noise:

“Miss Valeria! How does it feel to see your ex-husband again tonight?”

Her body froze. She couldn't breathe. Elena quickly noticed her stiff posture and wrapped her arm around Valeria’s waist and whispered through her smile, “Breathe remember. Smile and keep moving.” And then louder, to the cameras, “No comments tonight, thank you.”

Valeria was grateful for having Elena by her side tonight. The moment they stepped inside Valeria's mouth parted in shock. Golden chandeliers cast soft light over marble floors. Classical music floated through the air as waiters passed with trays of champagne. Valeria let herself breathe again, taking a glass of wine from a the waiter passing by. 

“You okay?” Elena asked, observing her curiously. 

Valeria nodded. “I’m good. This is better than I expected.”

Elena introduced her to fashion investors and magazine editors. Valeria laughed politely through it all, exchanging business cards with a smile on her face. But then smile vanished when her gaze landed on him. 

Ares.

He stood across the room wearing a black tuxedo with his arm around Celeste’s waist, and they were laughing. Not the shy chuckles Valeria used to get, but full-on, confident laughter. His hand gripped Celeste’s hip like she was some rare prize. He had never brought Valeria to a single gala, hell he had never shown her off like this.

“I need some air,” she murmured to Elena and turned, trying to keep herself from not breaking. 

She found herself in one of the corridors of the grand building, near a private lounge. The voices of the gala softened behind her.

And then she hit someone. 

“Oops,” a familiar voice purred, stepping out from the lounge. “Didn’t see you there.”

Valeria slowly looked up to see Celeste, who stared at her with a smirk on her face. 

Celeste tilted her head, observing her from head to toe. “Wow, I didn’t think you’d actually come. I mean, this... this really isn’t your scene, is it? I always thought you were more of the... classless type.”

Valeria’s jaw clenched, but before she could speak, a deep, commanding voice interrupted…..

“She’s with me and I’d watch your mouth, if I were you,” he said coldly to Celeste. “She’s worth more than your entire presence here.”