The Promotion

Chapter Fifty-Five

*Two Months Later*

Two months.

That was all it had taken for life to shift into something unrecognisable—in the best possible way. Two months since Charles Moore had been sentenced. Two months since the weight I'd carried for so long finally loosened its grip.

Happiness came easily now. Not the fragile, fleeting kind, but the sort that settled into your bones and stayed there.

Alexander and I had celebrated our one-year anniversary not long ago, and even now, the realisation still stunned me. A year. An entire year since we'd found our way to each other. Loving Alexander had become second nature—effortless, instinctive. Every day with him felt like a gift I hadn't known how to ask for.

He'd admitted, somewhat sheepishly, that he'd planned to propose on our anniversary. The fact that he hadn't been able to wait—that he'd wanted me as his wife sooner—only deepened my love for him. I hadn't thought that was possible. Somehow, it happened anyway.

Project J.A.R.L. was finally taking shape. What had started as a conversation over dinner had turned into something real—blueprints, contracts, construction sites. Watching Alexander, Jason, Rose, and myself build something meaningful together filled me with pride. Sustainable homes. Affordable living. A future rooted in purpose.

Sarah and Calum were still moving cautiously, testing the waters rather than diving in headfirst. I'd made peace with it. Truly. My heart was full, occupied by Alexander and the future we were building together. Whatever history I shared with Calum belonged firmly in the past.

And then there was the wedding.

We'd finally chosen a date—one week before Christmas, during our annual trip to Australia. The thought of marrying Alexander under a summer sky while the rest of the world prepared for winter felt poetic. Magical. I could hardly think of anything else.

Planning had quickly spiralled into chaos, thanks mostly to the girls. Somewhere along the way, Sarah, Rose, Lily, and I had become inseparable. Four women, different paths, different histories—yet perfectly aligned.

Life felt good.

Stable.

Safe.

⸻

Mrs Bingham's annual party arrived sooner than expected.

That evening, I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing my hands over a violet split maxi dress that skimmed my body perfectly. The Bardot neckline framed my shoulders, the fabric flowing effortlessly with every movement. I paired it with black heels, dainty gold jewellery, and left my hair loose in soft curls.

When I stepped outside, the cold night air brushed against my skin, sending a shiver through me. It vanished instantly when I saw Alexander waiting by the car.

His gaze lifted—and held.

"How is it possible," he murmured, stepping closer, "that you get prettier every single time I look at you?"

I laughed, warmth blooming in my chest. "Careful," I teased, nudging him. "Your ego's already big enough."

He kissed the side of my head, his arm settling securely around me as if that was where I belonged.

Inside the house, the party buzzed with energy. Music, laughter, clinking glasses. Alexander introduced me to people from his past—friends, associates, acquaintances I'd never met. Each story peeled back another layer of the man I loved, and with every layer, my admiration deepened.

At some point, I excused myself to find the bathroom. The hallway was quieter, dimmer. The bathroom door finally opened.

At first, all I registered was movement—heels clicking softly against marble. Then she stepped fully into view, and something in my chest tightened.