Page 107 of Secret Seduction

She grabs a bottle of champagne and pops the top, then pours us each a glass. “To beautiful designs and partnerships.”

We clink glasses, and I take a small sip, the bubbles tickling my throat as I swallow it down, along with my emotions.

When I imagined something like this happening, all I envisioned was me standing on my own two feet, head raised in pride that I had done it. That I had busted my ass and made my dreams come true.

Only now, it feels like my vision is incomplete.

Because I don’t want to be alone.

I want Lorenzo by my side.

I want Leo in my arms.

What’s the point of any of this if I can’t share it with them?

“Vanessa, you good?” Kora asks.

“Yes, I’m good,” I choke out. “Thank you for taking a chance on me,” I say robotically, trying to keep my panic attack away.

“Oh, Vanessa, it’s my pleasure. You’re talented, and I would be stupid not to see that. If it wasn’t me, it would be someone else.”

I nod my thanks and then excuse myself, needing to grab my purse and take an antianxiety pill. Since the workday is over, I walk the five blocks home, needing some fresh air.

On my way, I call Lorenzo, wanting to share my news, but his phone goes straight to voicemail. I try once more, but when I get the robotic greeting, I hang up, disappointed that the one person I want to share my news with isn’t available.

As I’m walking in the door, my phone rings. Only it’s not Lorenzo. It’s Nicole.

“Hey! How’s it going in the rainy city?”

“It’s a beautiful day,” I say with a laugh. “I was able to walk home without getting rained on. And guess what.”

“What?”

“I signed a contract to partner with Kora.”

“Vanessa! That’s amazing,” Nicole says. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” I whisper as I glance around my apartment.

I signed the biggest contract of my life, yet it feels like nothing has changed.

All I wanted was to secure my future. To make my dreams come true, but now that everything is coming together, it all feels hollow. And I know why that is …

Because what’s the point of your dreams coming true if you can’t celebrate it with the person you love the most?

“Hey, are you okay?” Nicole asks when a sob breaks free.

“No, I don’t think I am,” I whisper. “I …” I glance around my apartment again, and it hits me that this isn’t my home anymore. There aren’t any toys on the floor. The smell of Lorenzo’s delicious food isn’t lingering in the air. Leo’s laughter is amiss. “I think I made a mistake.”

“What? Why?” she asks in confusion. “You had an attorney read the contract, right?”

I did. I still haven’t found one, so I used Lorenzo’s legal team, who assured me that everything was good. But that’s not the mistake I made.

For the first time in my life, I experienced what it was like to be part of a family, to live in a home, filled with love and laughter, and I threw it all away … for what? So I could claim my independence? Prove that I could stand on my own two feet?

“I need to go home.”

“Oh, where are you?” she asks.