Page 73 of I Want You

Harper leans forward before Victoria can speak again.

“And resistance to change is often called ‘experience’ when someone is too proud to admit they’ve been left behind. We have to evolve. In fact, that’s why you merged our departments, isn’t it? And if senior management isn’t willing to take the plunge, the market will do it for us.”

Victoria turns her head to look at her. God. Harper looks stunning. She feels like standing up, grabbing her by the jacket, and kissing her right there on the conference table.

Eleanor clenches her fists.

“Velvet & Silk isn’t just a mobile app. We’re the fashion bible.”

“And Bibles that aren’t read end up gathering dust on a shelf,” Harper retorts, unflinching.

A stifled murmur ripples around the table. One of the most senior members covers his mouth to hide a suspicious cough. A second later, Eleanor glares at him.

The board chairman raises a hand, calling for calm.

“That’s enough.”

Silence returns to the room instantly. The chairman looks closely at the three women. He is a ruthless businessman who isn’t swayed by personal dramas; he’s only interested in assets.

“Both sides have valid points,” the man begins.

Victoria resists the urge to roll her eyes. Under the table, Harper’s hand finds her knee and squeezes it firmly. Calm down, the touch seems to say. Victoria breathes slowly, letting Harper’s warmth soothe her anger.

“Velvet & Silk has advertising commitments and long-standing contracts that we can’t just walk away from,” the chairman continues. “Ms. Sterling will continue to serve as editor-in-chief of the traditional edition.”

Eleanor leans back in her chair, wearing a smug expression. Victoria feels a bitter taste in her throat. Is all the effort they’ve put in going to end like this? By forcing them to share the spotlight with the woman who’s tried to destroy them?

“However…” the chairman adds, cutting short Eleanor’s triumph.

The man slides a folder with gold embossing toward the center of the table.

“This board has been designing an alternative division for months. A new global publication. Created from scratch, independent of Velvet & Silk’s editorial line, with a primary focus on digital and a deluxe print edition. A young, inclusive project, free from the shackles of the past.”

The folder comes to rest right in front of Victoria and Harper. On the cover, a single word stands out in clean, typographic letters: LUMEN.

The chairman leans on his elbows and interlaces his fingers in front of his chin.

“Ladies, Velvet & Silk is a tradition in this publishing group. But we need to secure the future, and that’s why we’re offering you the opportunity to launch and lead this new magazine. You’ll share co-editorship, with a limited budget for the first fiscal year and full creative and operational freedom. The question is simple in your case, Ms. Vance: Would you rather travel to Paris, or join us on this new journey?”

Victoria catches her breath—and not because of what they’re offering her. It’s because of the look in Harper’s eyes. As she turns, she meets her ex-wife’s gaze, shining with an intense, wild, and mature light. There’s no longer a trace of fear of failure, nor of the shadows of their divorce. There’s only ambition and an absolute desire to take on the world together.

Harper gives her a smile, and then Victoria does the same.

“Of course I want this job,” Victoria declares.

Eleanor sits up straight in her chair, the color draining from her cheeks.

“What kind of nonsense is this? You can’t…”

“Must I remind you who’s in charge of this group, Ms. Sterling?” the chairman declares.

“This is an insult to this corporation,” the woman exclaims indignantly.

“No, Eleanor,” Victoria replies, standing up and buttoning her suit. “This is business. We’ve been offered a blank canvas, and we’ve decided to accept it. Have a nice day.”

Harper stands up beside her. For the first time in years, Victoria doesn’t feel the weight of Paris or the shadow of failure on her shoulders. She feels the Manhattan breeze waiting for her on the other side of the door, and the certainty that her heart is very well protected.

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