Page 128 of Forty, Flirty & Framed

Susanna follows, pausing to kiss my cheek before depositing her bags on my couch."We brought wine, cheese, and emotional support in ascending order of importance."

"I don't need an intervention," I say, even as Viktoria efficiently uncorks a bottle of red and Susanna arranges an impressive charcuterie spread on my coffee table.

"It's not an intervention," Susanna corrects, arranging salami in an artistic spiral."It's a strategic planning session."

"For what?"I ask, reluctantly accepting the generously filled wine glass Viktoria hands me.

"Your big apology, of course."Viktoria settles into my armchair with the authority of someone who's planned a corporate takeover or two."We've been monitoring the situation.It's time for decisive action."

I take a fortifying sip."There is no 'situation' to monitor."

"Oh really?"Susanna pulls out her phone, scrolling dramatically."So the fact that Callum Abernathy publicly defended you against his brother, declined to press charges despite significant pressure, and has been photographed looking like a devastated Highland warrior poet isn't a 'situation'?"

"Devastated Highland warrior poet?"

"Exact quote from Buzz Seattle's coverage," she confirms."They have a close-up of his face that's been made into approximately sixteen thousand memes.My personal favorite adds the caption 'When they're out of haggis at the corporate cafeteria.'"

I choke on a laugh."This is insane.All of it."

"The insanity train left the station weeks ago," Viktoria declares."We're now in uncharted territory.The question is: what are you going to do about it?"

I sink onto the couch, suddenly exhausted."What can I do?I lied about my credentials.I breached his trust.That's the one thing Callum Abernathy can't forgive."

"Yet he defended you," Viktoria points out."Publicly.Against his brother."

"And turned down pressing charges," Susanna adds."Don't forget that part.It's very romantic in a legally significant way."

I stare into my wine glass, afraid to acknowledge the hope flickering in my chest."Even if he's not completely furious anymore, it doesn't change the fundamental issue.I built my professional identity on a lie."

Viktoria leans forward, her expression suddenly fierce."No, you built your professional identity on talent, determination, and relentless hard work.The lie was just the door you had to pry open because the system is rigged against people like us."

"Especially women our age without the right pedigree," Susanna adds."Remember when that startup rejected you because their 'culture' wouldn't 'mesh' with someone who didn't have an Ivy League degree?"

"Or when Drake Communications said you were 'too experienced' but really meant 'too old'?"Viktoria continues.

"Or when that tech bro suggested you 'build your portfolio' by doing free work for his friend's startup?"Susanna's indignation grows with each example.

I feel a knot in my throat loosening as my sisters list each barrier I've faced—each rejection that pushed me toward the desperate choice to fabricate credentials.

"The point is," Viktoria concludes, "you've spent your entire life shrinking yourself to fit other people's expectations.Maybe it's time to show the world—and Callum Abernathy—exactly who you really are.No filters, no masks, no carefully curated résumé."

"The real Karina," Susanna says softly.

I blink rapidly against unexpected tears."What if the real Karina isn't enough?"

"Then he doesn't deserve you," both sisters reply in perfect unison.

The synchronicity breaks the tension, and suddenly we're all laughing—deep, liberating laughter that feels like release.

"Okay," I manage when I can breathe again."So what's this big apology you mentioned?"

Viktoria smiles in a way that's simultaneously comforting and menacing."A social media campaign.But instead of managing someone else's image, you tell your story.The real one."

"#TheRealKarina," Susanna suggests, hands framing an imaginary headline."Your journey from Armenian immigrant family to marketing director.The barriers, the setbacks, the reality of class divisions in corporate America—and how you fought through it all."

"And," Viktoria adds significantly, "how you fell in love with a man who managed to break through the walls you've spent decades building."

"Whoa," I hold up my hands."Who said anything about love?"