Page 126 of Rival Hearts

“It’s a surprise, I’ll admit. I thought you really liked him, but love… that’s different. And now you’re not together anymore? Tell me everything.”

So, she listened as I told her the story of how things had progressed between me and Alex, about the trip to the island together, about the storm and the secret he’d confided in me. I told her about his decision not to release the eco-line of yachts he’d meant to release after all because his company would suffer and he couldn’t afford to do that.

“I’m so angry at him,” I admitted. “I’m furious that he chose money over doing the right thing. It’s exactly what my dad did, and I can’t believe that I ended up falling for someone who’s like that when I thought he was different.”

Victoria narrowed her eyes. “I don’t think it’s the same scenario.”

“It’s about money,” I said stubbornly. “How is it different?”

But of course, I knew Victoria was right. My dad had done it for personal gain and nothing else. He hadn’t given a shit about the people around him. Whereas with Alex, it was bigger than that. It was about money, sure, but not necessarily about personal gain. It was about money for everyone around him, beneath him, everyone he was directly or even indirectly responsible for.

Which meant that instead of being the villain, it made him the hero.

But if I accepted that he was the hero, it meant that I was wrong.

“I can’t go back to him.”

“Why not? Do you think he won’t accept an apology?”

I shook my head. “He probably will. He’s such a nice guy, such a great person. But he doesn’t want to be a father. He told me so, and I can’t go back to him now and then break the news that I’m having his baby. I can’t be the person to ruin everything for him.” I took a shuddering breath. “I’m going to have to do this alone.”

I told her about Gabe and his reaction, too.

After I told her everything, Victoria was silent for a while, studying my face. I sat back in the chair, feeling exhausted after crying so much, but despite everything, I felt lighter. It was good that I’d managed to get it all off my chest. Even if it didn’t change anything. The mess was still there, but at least I’d managed to cry about it, get it all out.

“You know, sometimes we have to go through things alone, and it’s not always easy to do it. It takes a strong person to brave the world without anyone at your back, but sometimes, choosing who you don’t want to live with is just as important as choosing who youdowant to live with.”

I nodded slowly.

“At the end of the day, though, it doesn’t matterwhoyou live with or without… you just have to be able to live withyourself.” She leaned over and squeezed my hand. “Whatever you choose, Charlotte, make sure you are at peace with your choices, and when you get there, then the rest will fall into place.”

It seemed so simple when she said it, but it hit me like a train.

I blamed myself for so much, but if I was going to do any of this, I had to move forward, decide what was important to me and what I was willing to accept.

And what I was not.

“Thank you,” I finally said. “For everything.”

Victoria leaned over and hugged me.

“My door is always open to you, Charlotte. For business, for advice, for your personal life, anything. I’m here to celebrate in your victories, but I’m also here for you to cry on my shoulder if you need it.”

“I’m starting to see that.”

“Let me know how things go. And when you know what the little one will be… I’d like to be a part of it.”

I nodded and promised that I would share my journey with her, and when I finally left her office, I felt like a different person.

My life was still infinitely more complicated than I’d hoped it would be, and I still had so much trouble. But I could figure it out, right? I just had to decide what was important to me and what I wanted to fight for.

On the way home, I dialed my brother’s number.

“Gabe, don’t hang up,” I said when he answered the phone. “I know you’re pissed at me, but please, can we talk?”

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“Fine,” I answered, irritated but determined. “Then just listen.”