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I shake my head, the memory of those damning words still seared into my brain. "No, it was pretty clear. He wanted ammunition against me."
Samantha reaches across the table to squeeze my hand. "Oh, Avery. I'm so sorry."
I blink back the sudden sting of tears. "I just don't get it. I thought we had a real connection, you know? But I guess to him, I was always just another obstacle in the way of his big project."
"He's an idiot," Emily declares, her normally soft voice fierce with loyalty. "Any man would be lucky to have you in his life."
I manage a watery smile. "Thanks, Em. I just... I feel so stupid for letting myself trust him. After everything with Eric, I should know better than to get involved with someone like Victor Stone."
The words taste bitter on my tongue, but I know they're true. Victor and I come from different worlds, and no matter how strong the attraction between us, that's not something I can ignore.
I drain the last of my wine and signal the waiter for another round. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. "But that's not even the worst part."
Samantha leans in, her brow furrowed with concern. "What do you mean?"
I fiddle with my napkin, avoiding their gazes. "When I confronted Victor about the email, he admitted that he'd asked for the information. But he claimed it was before we'd really gotten to know each other."
Samantha sits back, considering. "Well, maybe that's not such a big deal then. I mean, it's not uncommon to research your opponents, right?"
I frown, shaking my head. "It goes beyond that, Sam. It speaks to his character."
I pause, trying to find the right words to express the turmoil inside me. "More than that, it just drove home how different our worlds are. He has a whole PR team digging up dirt on people, while I'm out here fighting to protect the community I love."
My voice cracks slightly as I continue. "And he wanted me to give all of that up, to walk away from everything I've built here. To what end? So he can put up some shiny new development that'll probably just push out the local businesses and jack up rents and I can bury my head in the sand about it?" I shake my head. "And there's a deep down part of me that wonders if all of it was a ploy to get me to stop opposing his development. A big distraction. And, it's worked." I blink away the tears from my eyes.
Samantha reaches out, her hand warm on my arm. "Oh, honey. I'm so sorry you're going through this."
I blink rapidly, determined not to cry in the middle of this crowded restaurant. "I just feel so foolish, you know? For letting myself believe that maybe Victor and I could find a way to bridge that gap between us."
I shake my head ruefully. "But I guess when it comes down to it, we're just too different. And I'm not willing to sacrifice everything I hold dear for a man who sees me as nothing more than an obstacle in his path."
The words hurt to say aloud, but I know in my heartthey're true. No matter how strong my feelings for Victor may be, I can't ignore the fundamental differences between us.
I have to put my community, my family, first. Even if it means walking away from the man who's captured my heart so completely.
Emily shoots me a sympathetic smile. "You're not foolish, Avery. You followed your heart. There's nothing wrong with that."
Jessica nods in agreement. "Exactly. And you're not alone in this. We've got your back, no matter what."
I feel a swell of gratitude for these incredible women. They've been my rock through so many ups and downs over the years.
"I know I couldn't do any of this without you guys," I say, my voice thick with emotion. "You're more than just my friends. You're my family."
Samantha squeezes my hand. "And you're ours. Which is why we hate seeing you hurting like this."
I take a deep breath, trying to center myself. "I just keep thinking about Olivia. She's finally starting to come out of her shell, making friends and thriving on the hockey team. I can't uproot her now, not when she's doing so well."
The thought of tearing my daughter away from everything she knows, everything she loves, is unbearable. She's already been through so much in her young life. I won't put her through that kind of upheaval again.
"Olivia is lucky to have a mom like you," Emily says softly. "A mom who always puts her first, no matter what."
I manage a wobbly smile. "She's my world. I'd do anything for her."
And that, more than anything, is why I know I'm making the right decision. No matter how much it hurts, no matter how much my heart aches for what might have been, I have to put Olivia's needs above my own.
Even if it means saying goodbye to Victor for good.
"Speaking of hockey," Samantha says, steering the conversation to safer ground, "the first playoff game is the night after the board meeting. And they're going up against the team that won the championship last year."