The One She Needed

TWENTY SEVEN

RAQUEL

The lights pressed down on me, hot and unrelenting, condensing every part of my being into something brittle. I forced a smile, praying the imperfections in the curve of my lips wouldn't be captured by the lens of scrutiny watching from every angle. That had been my reality for days now—pushing through, enduring.

Here I stood, trapped among a sea of people in a venue that would have otherwise taken my breath away. The city lights shimmered outside, a dazzling display of life continuing without me, without any of this. I would have loved the view if I didn't hate being here so much.

I resisted the urge to place a protective hand over my belly, reminding myself of the real family I had waiting—Alex, and the people who came with him. That was the only tether holding my sanity in place, the only thing keeping me from rolling my eyes at yet another empty remark from one of Derek's colleagues. Laughter followed, sycophantic and hollow. Amazing how much some people could endure when a promotion was on the line. A bunch of imbeciles, the lot of them.

Speaking of imbeciles, one currently had his arm around me, his grip a casual claim. It both fascinated and terrified me how he could touch someone, ruin lives without a second thought, and still stand here, grinning, engaged in polite conversation with Marcus. Funny how the two of them could pretend to be friends, all the while poised to stab each other in the back. If Marcus' lingering glances at my cleavage were any indication, he was no better than the man beside me.

Derek had barely spoken to me, and for that, I was grateful. I had been coerced into attending this event, but at least we arrived separately. I could hardly stand to breathe the same air as him, let alone play along with this charade. The engagement ring on my finger burned, a brand marking me as something I refused to become. This wouldn't last forever. I wouldn't allow it. My child would never live under this facade.

I would fight.

Across the room, Serena sat at a table, exuding her usual air of boredom. But her eyes told me everything I needed to know. Patrice had arrived, unnoticed, slipping into the elevator right on time. To think I once loved this man.

I caught Derek's gaze before he spoke, his voice smooth, practiced. "Enjoying yourself, sweetheart?"

I turned to him, scoffing. "As if you care."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Marcus purse his lips, holding back a laugh. Derek smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. Had we been in private, I knew he wouldn't hesitate to strike me for such a remark. Before he could respond, I walked away, leaving him standing there, fists clenched at his sides.

The moment I stepped into the bathroom, I leaned against the sink, pressing my fingertips against my temples. A migraine lurked at the edges of my skull. How much more of this would I have to endure?

"You're not doing a great job hiding your hatred for him," Serena's voice cut through my thoughts. She entered, checking each stall before standing beside me.

"Did you expect me to drape myself over him like Marcus' date?" I let out a humorless chuckle. "Besides, I'm too scared to kiss him and catch an STD."

Serena's look silenced me. I swallowed. "Too far?"

She nodded, then sighed. "It wasn't your fault. Remember that." She nudged my shoulder, offering the smallest of smiles.

For the life of me, as I studied her, I understood why Derek had fallen for her. Serena was stunning. But beyond that, she was someone I was beginning to know, to understand. Crazy as it seemed, I could almost see us becoming friends if this plan worked out.

She cocked her head. "You really do have a habit of zoning out."

I chuckled, the sound foreign but freeing. "Do you think Patrice will pull this off?"

Serena's expression darkened. "She has a lot to lose."

"She won't get caught."

"But if she does, she loses her job. Then what? We'll be no closer to getting Terrance."

I exhaled. "Serena, I wish I could say everything will go exactly as planned. But I don't know. Just like you don't. The only difference is, I hide my nerves better."

She rolled her eyes.

"We've come too far for doubts. How many women of color in our industry are at our level?"

She looked away, because we both knew the answer. Few. Far too few.

"The odds were stacked against us before, and we pushed through. We'll do it again."

She turned back to the mirror, studying herself. "I wouldn't change anything about my life. Even the rejections made me who I am." She glanced at me and chuckled.

"What?"

"We really do have the best heart-to-hearts in bathrooms."

Laughter bubbled up between us, cutting through the tension. Then my phone buzzed. One glance, and my lips curled into a triumphant smile.

"She's done."

Serena nodded, adjusting her posture. Ever the dramatist, she winked at herself in the mirror. "Looks like I'm up. Wish me luck."

The bathroom door swung open, and Marcus' date—Angela? Amber? Something with an A—stepped inside. She froze, suspicion flashing across her face, but said nothing as she made her way into a stall. Smart choice. I wasn't in the mood for pointless confrontations.

Serena cast me one last look before slipping out. I followed a moment later, moving toward Derek with renewed purpose. The charade had to be maintained.

***

Back home, I stared at the clock, anxiety gnawing at my insides.

Nights like these, I missed Alex more than ever. I worried about him. I prayed this would all end soon.

Patrice had come through with the information we needed. Serena had played her part, keeping Derek distracted. It had been almost too easy. Derek's secrecy around his personal laptop had always been a red flag. Now, I was sure—he was hiding something serious.

The only problem? Accessing it.

Given my open disdain for him, he'd never believe I wanted to visit his home. But Serena? She was different. And if there was one thing I knew for certain, Derek had no willpower when it came to her.

I scrolled through my phone aimlessly until I landed on a picture of Alex, fast asleep. A warmth bloomed in my chest, butterflies stirring as I traced the outline of his face with my eyes. I hoped our baby would look just like him.

And in that moment, I asked myself a question I had no answer to.

Is this what love is? Where even the thought of losing them Hurts more than losing yourself.