4. New Beginnings

Diane

FIVE YEARS LATER

The AC was blasting fully, but it couldn’t quite ease the nervous heat simmering in my chest. 

I stood in front of the full-length mirror in my bedroom, staring at my reflection. The light cast a soft glow on my golden dress making it shimmer like molten gold as it hugged my curves in all the right places. 

The soft silk fabric felt smooth against my skin, but my mind was anything but calm.

Tonight was the night. My night.

I took a shaky breath, smoothing the fabric over my hips as I tried to gather my scattered thoughts. 

The board had decided months ago, but it was only now, at the charity gala, that the world would know I was officially the new CEO of Hope Horizons—the largest charity organization in the country. 

It was a dream I had fought tooth and nail for, a culmination of years of hard work, sacrifices, and tears. 

And yet, my nerves felt as fragile as glass.

My hand trembled slightly as I reached for my shoes, a pair of gold stilettos that matched my dress perfectly. Just as I was about to slip them on, the sound of little feet pattering across the room pulled me from my thoughts.

“Mommy!”

I looked up to see my daughter, Anika, standing in the doorway. 

Her black curls—so much like mine before I started dyeing them blonde—were wild, her big brown eyes staring at me with a mixture of curiosity and sadness. She clutched her favorite doll to her chest, the same one she carried everywhere, even to bed.

My heart softened immediately. All the tension in my chest eased as a small smile tugged at my lips.

“Hey, baby,” I said, setting my shoe down and kneeling to her level. “What are you doing out of bed? You should be asleep by now.”

Anika clutched her doll tighter, her little brows furrowing as she shuffled toward me. 

“I couldn’t sleep,” she said softly, her voice carrying a tinge of sadness. “Are you going away again?”

My daughter's words struck a tender chord in me. 

I reached out and brushed a strand of her hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. 

“I am, honey,” I admitted my voice gentle, “but just for tonight. Aunt Julia is coming over to stay with you, and I’ll be back before you wake up in the morning. I promise.”

Anika’s lips wobbled, and I could see the doubt swimming in her big eyes. She hugged the doll closer, burying her chin against its matted yarn hair. “You always say that,” she whispered.

My chest tightened at her words, and I felt guilty. 

She wasn’t wrong. Between managing the charity and fighting to prove myself capable of leading it, I’d spent more late nights working than I cared to admit. But I couldn’t let her feel abandoned.

I cupped her cheek, tilting her face up so she’d look at me. “Hey, listen to me, Anika,” I said firmly but softly. “I love you more than anything in the world. You know that, don’t you?”

She nodded slowly, a small tear escaping down her cheek.

I smiled, brushing it away with my thumb. “Good. And because I love you, I have to go to this tonight. It’s important for us—for you. But Aunty Julia’s going to be here, and she’s bringing the cupcakes you like.” I wiggled my eyebrows at her.

That earned me the faintest giggle, a sound that was music to my ears—a sound I would never get tired of hearing. “The pink ones?”

“The pink ones,” I confirmed with a grin.

Anika clapped her hands happily and climbed onto the bed, sitting cross-legged as she began to fiddle with her doll. Her sadness lingered, but it seemed softer now, more manageable.

I stood and walked back to the dresser, pulling on my gold stilettos and reaching for my jewelry box. 

As I clasped the delicate diamond necklace around my neck, I caught her watching me out of the corner of my eye.

“Mommy?”

“Yes, baby?”

“Are you going to be a princess tonight?”

The question caught me off guard, and I couldn’t help but laugh softly. “A princess? Why would you think that?”

“Because you look like one,” she said matter-of-factly, twirling her doll in her hands.

I turned to her, pretending to curtsy. “Well, thank you, Your Highness. But no, I'm not going to be a princess; I'm going to be a busy mommy.”

The sound of the doorbell interrupted our moment, and I quickly grabbed my clutch, heading toward the door. Anika trailed behind me, clutching her doll tightly.

I opened the door to see Julia standing there, her vibrant auburn hair catching the glow of the porch light, and a warm smile that instantly eased my raging nerves.

“Julia, thank you so much for doing this,” I said, stepping aside to let her in.

She waved me off with a grin. “Stop thanking me already. You know I love spending time with my favorite goddaughter.”

Anika peeked out from behind my leg, and Julia crouched down to her level. “Hey, munchkin! Guess what I brought?”

Anika’s eyes lit up. “Cupcakes!”

“That’s right.” Julia winked as she stood, her gaze turning back to me. “Now, let me look at you.”

I twirled half-heartedly, and Julia’s eyes widened in exaggerated awe. “Diane, you look stunning! That dress—it’s perfect. If you weren’t already the CEO, they’d have made you one just for this outfit.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “You’re ridiculous.”

“And you’re nervous,” she said knowingly, her smile softening. “But you’ve got this. Go break a leg. Or, you know, not literally—these heels look dangerous.”

I rolled my eyes but leaned in to hug her. “Thanks, Jules. You’re a lifesaver.”

I bent down to kiss Anika’s forehead. “Be good for Aunty Julia, okay? I’ll see you in the morning.”

Anika pouted but nodded, and I forced myself to leave before her sad little face could pull me back in.

The drive to the gala felt like a blur with my thoughts swirling as I tried to mentally prepare for the night ahead. 

When I arrived, the grandeur of the event hit me like a wave. Glittering lights adorned the tall marble columns of the venue, and a long red carpet led up to the entrance.

As soon as I stepped out of the car, a valet hurried to assist me, and another usher led me toward the main hall. I smiled politely despite the weight of the evening settling on my shoulders.

Inside, the gala was breathtaking. 

Crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow over the crowd, and the hum of lively conversation filled the air as soft classical music played in the background. Waiters in crisp black uniforms floated through the room, offering trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres.

“Diane!”

I turned to see Jane, my secretary, weaving through the crowd toward me. Her black dress was simple but elegant, and her wide grin instantly lifted my spirits.

“There you are,” she said, slightly out of breath. “You’re late! Everyone’s been waiting for you.”

“I’m not late,” I said defensively.

“Fashionably late,” she corrected, grabbing my arm and steering me toward a group of sharply dressed men and women.

They greeted me warmly, their smiles bright and their words filled with congratulations.

“Diane, congratulations on the new position,” one of the men said, shaking my hand firmly. “We’ve heard so much about your work—Hope Horizons is lucky to have you.”

I thanked him, my practiced smile holding steady as I assured them that I looked forward to working with all of them. Their praise was kind, but my mind was elsewhere, distracted by the enormity of the moment.

Jane nudged me gently. “Stop looking so serious,” she whispered. “You’re doing great.”

Before I could respond, she grinned mischievously. “Now, there’s someone you need to meet. Diego Jones—one of the country’s top entrepreneurs and, might I add, ridiculously handsome. He’s expressed an interest in donating a rather significant amount to the charity.”

I raised an eyebrow. “And?”

“And,” she said, her voice dropping to a teasing tone, “he’s also single. Just saying.”

I rolled my eyes but let her lead me through the crowd. As we approached, Jane leaned closer and whispered, “Oh, look. Here he comes now.”

I turned toward where Jane was gesturing, my professional smile already in place.

But the moment my eyes landed on the man standing beside Diego, the world seemed to stop.

Luca Belluci.

My heart plummeted to my stomach, a cold wave crashing over me. 

The noise of the gala faded into a dull hum as I stood frozen, staring at the man who had shattered my heart five years ago. He looked as polished and composed as ever, his tailored suit exuding wealth and confidence.

And then his eyes met mine.

For a split second, I saw a flicker of shock on his face, but he quickly masked it. His posture was impeccable, but the faint tightening of his jaw was all the confirmation I needed. 

He’d recognized me.

“Diane,” Jane whispered urgently, nudging me slightly. “Diego’s here. Smile.”

I managed to tear my gaze away from Luca, but the damage was done. My breath felt uneven, my chest tight as if I’d been punched.

“Ms. Allen,” Diego greeted warmly, extending a hand. “It’s an honor to finally meet you.”

I plastered my professional smile on my face, accepting the handshake as I ignored Luca completely.

My peripheral vision caught Luca’s subtle movement—just a small shift, as though he hadn’t quite decided whether to step forward or disappear into the crowd.

“Likewise,” I said to Diego, my voice professionally steady.

Luca didn’t move, didn’t speak. But his eyes never left me, even as Diego continued talking.

And in that silence, in his lingering gaze, I felt the past rushing back to haunt me.