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CHAPTER ONE

Victoria

I stood from my seat, scanning the crowd and smoothing my yellow gown. This year's gala had more attendees than in previous years, which would have made my mother proud. My heart ached at the thought. This was her doing, something she had worked on since she was young, and she wasn't here anymore to see it through.

Forcing a smile to my lips, I moved toward the stage to make my opening speech. Prudence Bristol had dedicated her life to the Sacona Youth Center. As her daughter, it was up to me to continue her work and honor her legacy. Lord knew my father couldn't be bothered. He was only in attendance because it would be bad optics for him to be anywhere else.

"Good evening, distinguished guests. I stand before you tonight to speak from the heart about an organization that is very dear to my family: the Sacona Youth Center." I looked around the room. Most of these people had been coming to the fundraising events for years. I made eye contact with several familiar faces.

"As most of you already know, my mother, Prudence, started working with the Youth Center over 30 years ago. She was a woman of extraordinary kindness, a true beacon of light in this community. Her inspiring personality and unwavering commitment to others touched the lives of so many people. Herlove knew no bounds, and it was that love that inspired her to start her work with the Sacona Youth Center. She dedicated her life to helping those in need, and the Youth Center was her pride and joy. She taught me the value of giving back to the community and being there for those who need our help the most." I cleared my throat. Talking about my mom was still hard without getting emotional.

"Growing up, I was fortunate enough to help my mother with the Youth Center. I remember spending countless hours there alongside the kids who needed it most, and being around those who came from less fortunate backgrounds had such an eye-opening impact on me. It taught me the value of hard work, the importance of empathy, and the impact that even the smallest act of kindness can have. It fundamentally changed who I am as a person, and I am forever grateful for the lessons I learned there. I want to use my privilege to give back to the city I love so much."

"The center provides a safe and nurturing environment where these kids can learn, grow, and have fun. From tutoring and mentoring to sports and cultural activities, the center offers a range of programs that help kids thrive. In addition, it gives their parents the ease of mind that they have somewhere safe to spend time and socialize. She also created the Sacona Stars Scholarship Program to help those who need it most as they transition into adulthood and pursue higher education. Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and giving young people the tools they need to build a better future for themselves and their families."

"Losing my mother six months ago was one of the hardest things I've ever had to go through. However, the one place that still makes me feel like she's with me is the Sacona Youth Center. This charity was a part of her, and keeping her dream alive is the best way to honor her legacy. It's a place where her spirit liveson and where her commitment to helping others continues to make a difference." I blinked away tears and took a deep breath to steady myself as I finished the speech.

"So, I urge you to give generously tonight. These services can be life-changing for the children who receive them. They are only possible thanks to the contributions of people like you. No matter how big or small, your help will allow us to continue the vital work of the Sacona Youth Center. And it will honor the memory of a remarkable woman who devoted her life to helping others."

"Thank you for your attention and your support. Let's make tonight a night to remember and make a real difference in the lives of the children in our community. Now, I am honored to introduce our next speaker, Az Casadei. Az spent a lot of time at the Youth Center and received the Sacona Star Scholarship, which helped him achieve his dreams. Today, he is an incredibly accomplished businessman, and I couldn't be prouder. Az's success is a testament to the power of the programs and services provided by the Youth Center, and I can't wait for him to share his inspiring story with you tonight." I stepped from the podium and applauded as Az strode on stage alongside the audience.

He flashed a brilliant smile and did a little wave as he approached. His blonde hair was neatly styled, and his bright blue eyes sparkled in the light. His athletic build was evident in the way his black-on-black formal suit hugged his body, and the tattoos peeking out from under his sleeves, on his neck, and even on his hands and face added a hint of edge to his otherwise polished appearance. I was impressed with how confident and at ease he seemed in the spotlight as he reached to shake my hand. He gave me a warm hug before moving to stand at the podium, and I could feel how powerful his arms were from the brief squeeze I got. I'm almost certain he gave me a little wink as I made my way to the edge of the stage.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Let's give it up once again for our hostess, Victoria! I don't think I've ever had the honor of being introduced by someone as lovely and esteemed." He beamed at the audience, and I turned back to give a small curtsy before leaving the stage. I definitely caught the once over this time and couldn't help the flush that crept up from my chest. The rest of his speech was drowned out as I noticed who awaited me at the bottom of the stairs.

My father stood at the bottom of the three steps leading down from the stage, holding his hand to help guide me. I fought the urge to recoil from his need to present himself as the perfect father to the public. He'd all but abandoned me since my mother's funeral six months ago.

"Your mother would be so proud of you, Honeybee." He smiled, slipping my arm into his and guiding me away from the stage.

"I'm surprised you noticed anything about me, Father." I spat.

He stilled instantly, freeing my arm from his and pulling me around to face him. "Victoria, I know I've been a shit father since we lost your mother–"

"Shit doesn't begin to cover it." I hissed. "It's like I stopped existing at all to you."

The suave, confident mask of his public persona dropped for the briefest moment, allowing me to see the pain and grief buried under his expensive suits and styling products.

"It's my fault she's gone. If I hadn't decided a client dinner was more important than picking her up from the youth center, she wouldn't have been alone. She wouldn't have been on the street for thatthugto target her. I just–I couldn't face you, not knowing I was the reason she's gone."

"Oh, Dad," I sighed, squeezing his hand. "Mom knew the dangers in that part of town. She could have called for a car, butshe didn't. What happened isn't your fault. Avoiding me, acting like I don't exist, that is."

"I know, Honeybee. I wanted to put the man who killed your mother behind bars so you wouldn't blame me. It just got easier and easier to stay away, especially when you remind me so much of her. I want to make it right, to fix things between us. I know I can't fix things tonight, not with the gala, but come to dinner tomorrow. We can make pasta from scratch, the way the three of us used to. Let me fix this."

People nearest us were not so subtly eavesdropping. I decided to prevent the gawkers from gaining anything more to gossip about after the gala.

"Fine, Dad. I'll be there for dinner tomorrow. We can talk then. Right now, I need to focus on raising money for the youth center."

My father gave me a tight smile before moving away into the crowd. I smoothed my hands down my yellow gown, taking a moment to collect myself before I plastered on a fake smile and strode toward the nearest table.

Az was still giving his speech as I weaved through the tables, murmuring words of thanks to everyone as I passed. My grief over the loss of my mother had reared its head, and I needed a moment to collect myself. The gala wasn't the place to break down, and I shut everything else out as I made my way toward the doors in the back of the ballroom.

I managed to slip into the hallway without too much trouble and made my way to the bathroom. The tears I'd been fighting to hold back fell free the moment I locked myself in a stall. My hand pressed against my lips in a futile attempt to keep myself quiet as sobs tore through me. Her loss was still fresh, and the gala only poured salt into the gaping hole her death had torn open in my chest. Curled in on myself, I leaned against the stall door for support as I wept.

The sound of footsteps echoing in the otherwise empty restroom forced me to pull myself together. My shoulders trembled with the force of my near-silent gasps of air. I needed to clean myself up before anyone saw the aftermath of my breakdown. Taking gulping breaths, I waited for the sounds of my bathroom companion leaving before I slipped from the stall.

Catching my reflection in the mirror, I cringed. Mascara streaked down my cheeks. My skin was red and blotchy, and the attempts to stifle my sobs had smeared my lipstick. I regretted not grabbing my clutch on my way out of the ballroom, but that would have only invited questions I hadn't wanted to answer. With a heavy sigh, I grabbed a few of the paper towels neatly stacked on the counter and wet them. Washing my face would have to suffice until I could slip away again with my clutch to redo my makeup.

The cold water that soaked the paper towels was soothing to my skin. By the time I'd wiped away every last trace of my makeup, it had helped calm the red, puffy mess crying had made of my face. Glancing at the dainty diamond watch on my wrist, I let out a hiss of air. I'd been gone for nearly thirty minutes. People would wonder where I had gone; I didn't think claiming a vague emergency with anything to do with the gala would assuage their curiosity. The fire alarms began to blare as if in response to my thoughts.