Book two of 'The Vengeance Duology'
Five years ago, the lads and I made the biggest mistake of our lives-a reckless decision that shattered everything.
We destroyed what mattered most, but my deepest regret is how much I hurt her.
Every moment of pa...
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"Valentina, how do you feel about your new launch?"
"Any wedding details you can share?"
"You look stunning, Valentina! How are you balancing wedding planning with business?"
"Are you planning to step back from the company after the wedding?"
"Valentina, how does it feel to have it all—love, success, and a new line?"
The paparazzi shout questions at me from every direction, their flashing cameras almost blinding. I can barely process the barrage of voices as Tom and I stop to pose for photos. His arm around my waist feels like both a comfort and a weight.
I plaster on a smile, the same one I've mastered for years, as I stand in possibly my favorite thing I've ever designed—a silk, off-white, floor-length dress that clings to my figure in all the right places. The plunging back and cowl neckline add a touch of elegance without screaming for attention. I'm the only one here not wearing black and gold, standing out in a sea of conformity.
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Tom squeezes my waist gently, whispering, "You look incredible."
I smile, turning my face slightly towards the cameras. "Thanks," I murmur, though my mind is already racing ahead to the next question, the next pose, the next move.
"Valentina, any wedding details? How are the plans coming along?" another reporter calls out.
I raise an eyebrow and tilt my head slightly, giving them a playful smirk. "One thing at a time," I say, as if the answer holds more mystery than stress. "You'll have to wait and see."
"How does it feel to have it all?" one reporter yells.
I laugh softly, the sound hollow even to my ears. "Let's just say, balancing it all is an art form."
More flashes. More shouting. But through it all, I feel like a part of me is somewhere else. As much as I want to bask in the success of the launch, the questions about the wedding, about 'having it all,' are like tiny daggers.
