LOGINVICTORIAFour years laterThe air feels different today — softer, lighter, almost unreal.The sun pours gently over the gardens of Valemont estate, painting the marble white and the grass gold.Children run barefoot across the lawn, their laughter spilling through the breeze like music.I am standin
******************************************************************************************CHASEThe music floats across the beach, slow and warm, the kind that makes the night feel softer than it is.Fairy lights sway in the ocean breeze, and laughter ripples through the guests as I stand near the
VICTORIAThe sand is warm under my heels as we walk down the narrow path leading to the beach, the faint hum of waves mixing with distant laughter.My hand rests lightly on my belly, the other laced tightly with Chase’s because I still can’t believe this is real — that he’s this happy, that we are.
I pretend not to notice, but something cracks quietly inside me.On the jet, she wasn’t exaggerating about sleeping. The moment she sits down, she curls up, adjusts the blanket, and shuts her eyes without a word. I sit across from her and just… stare as the engines hum softly, clouds drift past the
CHASE“That’s it. Close that laptop; we’ll be late,” I say, standing from the couch at House of Valemont, telling her for the tenth time, pretending she didn’t hear me.Victoria doesn’t even flinch. Her eyes stay fixed on the screen, the faint light tracing her sharp cheekbones as she scrolls. “One
The entire ride to House of Valemont, I can’t calm down. I keep rehearsing my steps, my greetings, my smile. My mind runs wild with what-ifs—what if nothing’s the same, what if I walk in and everyone stares? What if I can’t do this? but I try to remain strong until we get there.Once we finally arr
“Damn it, Victoria!” He clenches his jaw, closing his eyes like he’s trying to hold back his temper.“I wanted her to know we knew, Chase. You should have seen her smug little face.” I cross my arms, defensive.He exhales sharply, tilting his head back. “What else? There’s something else, isn’t ther
She shakes her head almost immediately. “No. That’ll only make it worse. Let them think whatever they want.”I narrow my eyes, crossing one leg over the other. “Fine. But either way, I’ll have to inform the department heads.” I sigh. “Another thing, don’t make decisions without calling me first. And
CHASEThe board shifts uncomfortably in their seats, their collars suddenly too tight, their eyes darting between one another.I head back to my chair, sit, lean back, cool and collected, letting silence do its job as Bradford pulls the file toward him, his hands stiff.He flips the first page open
VICTORIA"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for being here today.As you are all aware, troubling reports have surfaced regarding my husband, Harry Smith, and the company he has worked so hard to build.Like many of you, I am deeply saddened by the allegations and the pain this has cau







