Page 33 of Rival Hearts

I swallowed hard. I wasn’t sure I could do this. It was my first press release, my first step forward, bringing public awareness to something I really cared about.

I’d studied my whole life to do this, but now that we were this far, I was terrified. What if I froze up there? What if I screwed up?

Or worse… what if Ididn’tscrew up, it all went according to plan, and peoplestilldidn’t think I was worth listening to?

“Hey,” Victoria said, her tone gentle. “Just breathe.” She smiled at me. Her gray hair was twisted into an elegant chignon,and she was the picture of elegance. When she spoke, the world listened.

“You should be the one to do this,” I said, my voice small.

“Nonsense.” Victoria tugged her white blouse down over her gray A-line skirt. “I’m the sponsor, I’m not here to persuade them. That’s all you. I believe in you, it’s why I let you run point on this.”

I swallowed hard again. My stomach was a flutter of nerves, and I felt sick. I glanced out over the crowd that had gathered.

The press release was being held at the iconic Seaview Park, overlooking the glistening harbor dotted with luxury yachts. The sky was azure, with only a light breeze, and the gentle waves set the perfect stage for my speech.

I was just terrified.

I glanced at the modest podium with its bannerProtect Our Oceanshanging from it. All around me, eco-friendly banners had been put up, showing serene seascapes and vibrant marine life.

“I’m going to screw this up completely,” I muttered to Maya.

“Don’t be like that. You know you were born to do this.”

I shook my head. “I wasn’t.Youmight have been. You’re so comfortable around people. Or Victoria, who has them all in her pocket.”

“She started somewhere,” Maya said. “Besides, people don’t look at me with the same respect they look at you. Trust me, I can see it.”

“You’re just being nice.”

“No, I believe in you,” Maya countered. “You just have to believe in yourself, which is a challenge, I’m starting to see.”

I smiled, feeling silly, because she was right. Sometimes I didn’t believe in myself as much as I should have, but it was hard. I was a nobody, hailing from nowhere special, and I was trying to take on people who were firmly settled in their careers,with deep roots in the community and deep pockets to pay for—or bribe their way to—anything they needed.

“How do I look?” I asked.

The sea-green dress I wore was tailored but comfortable, hanging just below my knees. I’d put on neutral-colored low heels, and I wore wooded earrings and bangles. Natural makeup and my hair in a ponytail—everything I did today was supposed to remind the world that sustainability was key. Not that they would ask me about my earrings, but appearances mattered, right?

The crowds had gathered—a combination of reporters, concerned citizens, and even a few curious yacht enthusiasts.

“It’s time,” Victoria said.

I nodded and took one last deep breath before switching on my mic.

I stepped forward.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” I said, and my voice carried. It was weird—it sounded like I was listening to someone else talk. And I sounded strangely determined. Well, I was. It gave me the courage to keep going. “Thank you for joining me today. We stand here not only as witnesses to the majesty of our oceans but as guardians of their fragile ecosystems.”

The crowd nodded in agreement. A few people held placards with slogans on.

Sail Responsibly, Save our Oceans.

Clean Oceans, Brighter Futures!

Green Yachts for a Better Tomorrow.

I held up a sample of microplastic-infested water. “It’s no secret that the luxury yacht industry has, at times, overlooked the consequences of its practices. Plastic pollution, oil spills, and excessive emissions threaten our oceans and marine life.”

The reporters in front of me took their notes, and cameras were pointed at me, the red lights winking as they recordedeverything I said. For a moment, panic threatened to choke me, but I took a deep breath and pushed on.