Page 130 of Forty, Flirty & Framed

"From carrying the entire marketing department on your back," Viktoria agrees.

As our laughter subsides, I find myself filled with a different reality.

The fan fiction.

The viral videos.The social media storm.

It all highlights how little control we have over how others perceive us.

The only thing we can control is our own truth.

"I'm going to do it," I announce out loud."The campaign.#TheRealKarina.All of it."

"Including the part about being in love with Callum?"Susanna asks pointedly.

I take a steadying breath."Especially that part.Because if I'm going for authentic, I might as well go all in."

My sisters raise their glasses in solemn salute.

"To authentic vulnerability," Viktoria declares.

"To terrifying honesty," Susanna adds.

"To the real Karina.”I clink my glass against theirs."Whoever she turns out to be."

30

KILT OR BE KILT-ED

CALLUM

Seattle's September sunshine breaks through lingering morning fog as I dress for what might be the most important board meeting of my career.

The crisp autumn air brings clarity rather than chill, a welcome change from the sweltering emotional chaos of recent weeks.

The only thing left to do after this shit-storm of a sage?

Finalize the MacTavish acquisition on Abernathy Corp's terms, not Duncan's.

After weeks of viral humiliation, credential scandals, and family betrayals, I'm determined to reclaim control over at least this one aspect of my professional life.

What happens after the meeting—specifically, tracking down a certain former Marketing Director to deliver an apology approximately one week overdue—that's the part I'm still rehearsing in my head.

"For someone about to close a multi-billion dollar acquisition, you look surprisingly nervous," Gran calls out from my penthouse kitchen doorway, where she's watching me straighten my tie for the third time.

"I'm not nervous.”I straighten it again."I'm focused."

"On your tie or on what you'll say to Karina afterward?"She sips her tea with infuriating omniscience.

"The acquisition is my priority," I insist, though we both know it's only partly true.

"Of course it is."She pats my cheek as she passes."That's why you've been practicing apology speeches in the shower for three days."

“You—I have not been?—"

"The acoustics in this penthouse are remarkable.Particularly around 6 AM when you think I'm still asleep."

“Remind me to never ever sleep within five miles of you when you’re in town.”