Chapter 5 - The Rebirth (Conclusion)
One year later.
The boardroom on the 55th floor of the Sterling-Vanguard tower offered a panoramic view of the city skyline. The morning sun poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm, golden light across the long glass table.
I sat at the head of the table.
I wasn't wearing a soaked, ruined dress. I was wearing a sharp, tailored navy blue blazer, reviewing the quarterly earnings report on my tablet.
Marcus sat to my right, tapping his pen against a legal pad.
"The acquisition of the European logistics firm is complete, Harper," Marcus reported with a smile. "Profits are up fourteen percent this quarter. The board is thrilled."
"Good," I said, signing the digital authorization. "Let's proceed with the employee profit-sharing initiative we discussed."
From the corner of the boardroom, a soft, happy babble echoed.
I turned my chair. In a top-of-the-line luxury playpen, my six-month-old son, Leo, was sitting on a soft mat, happily chewing on a plush giraffe. He had my eyes and my quiet, observant nature.
He was safe. He was loved. And he would never know the toxicity of the people who shared half of his DNA.
Carter had signed the custody papers without a fight. He didn't have the money to hire a lawyer anyway. From what Marcus’s investigators had told me, Carter was currently working as a mid-level shift manager at a retail electronics store, living in a cramped two-bedroom apartment with his mother. Beatrice spent her days complaining to anyone who would listen about how the world had robbed her, while her son rang up discounted televisions.
Chloe had left the state entirely, jumping into the arms of another executive who she hoped wouldn't lose his fortune.
I stood up from the head of the table and walked over to the playpen. I scooped Leo up into my arms, inhaling the sweet, perfect scent of baby lotion and warmth. He giggled, grabbing a fistful of my blazer.
I looked out the massive windows at the city below. I owned the building. I owned the company. But more importantly, I owned my life.
They thought I was a poor, pregnant burden. They thought they could break me with dirty water and cruel jokes.
May you like
But they forgot one fundamental rule of business, and of life.
You should never underestimate the person quietly holding all the cards.
