The festive season appeared dead rather than lively in the eyes of Victoria. December had arrived with its usual fanfare of twinkling lights and holiday cheer, but to her, it felt like a cruel mockery of the emptiness that had consumed her life. The streets were filled with couples holding hands, families laughing together, and children running excitedly between decorated storefronts, while Victoria moved through it all like a ghost haunting her own existence.
After failing to win James's trust, she had regrettably left his apartment that night feeling more broken than ever. The memory of what had transpired between them still haunted her dreams and made her wake up in cold sweats, her body aching with a phantom pain that had nothing to do with their physical encounter and everything to do with the emotional devastation that followed.
The decision to give her body as a way to let out his frustration and anger towards her had been a catastrophically wrong one. She had thought that by offering herself as a vessel for his pain, she could somehow absorb his hurt and transform it into something bearable. Instead, she had only succeeded in deepening the chasm between them, adding another layer of regret and shame to their already fractured relationship.
Still, she had done it because she had run out of options. Every other avenue had been explored and exhausted, every other strategy had failed spectacularly. In her desperation, she had offered the only thing she thought might reach him, the only currency she believed she had left. The aftermath had been devastating for both of them.
She had hurt James deeply, in ways that went beyond their initial betrayal. She had promised herself to protect his smile and be the reason he shined, but she had broken that vow and became the person hindering his light instead. The weight of that realization pressed down on her chest like a physical burden, making it difficult to breathe sometimes when the guilt became overwhelming.
Their situation was much like hers and Elena's years back when Elena had done everything in her power to sabotage Victoria's plans of starting her company. The irony and hypocrisy of it all wasn't lost on her. She had spent years hating Elena for the betrayal, for the way her former friend had tried to destroy her dreams, and now she found herself in the exact same position as the betrayer. Yes, she was a horrible hypocrite, and the knowledge ate at her soul like acid.
Nevertheless, Victoria didn't plan to give up. James was the man she loved and would always love, regardless of whether he could ever forgive her. She needed to fight for him and show him she truly had changed, even if it took years, even if it meant loving him from a distance for the rest of her life.
The first few days after leaving his apartment had been the hardest. Victoria had barely been able to function, moving through her penthouse like a wounded animal seeking a place to hide and heal. She had called in sick to work for three straight days, something she had never done in her entire career, and spent the time curled up in bed wearing one of James's old sweaters that still carried traces of his scent.
But slowly, painfully, she had pulled herself together. She had to prove to James that she could keep her word, that she could respect his boundaries even when it felt like tearing her own heart out. So she began a campaign of quiet persistence, showing her changed self through actions rather than words.
She started sending gifts to his office, carefully chosen items that showed she remembered his preferences without being overly personal or romantic. A rare vintage of his favorite coffee when she heard through mutual acquaintances that he had been working late. A book by an author he had mentioned enjoying, with a simple note tucked inside the cover. High-quality office supplies when she noticed his company's rapid expansion through industry publications. Each gift came with a note card containing nothing more than professional well wishes and hopes for his continued success.
"Wishing you a productive day and continued success with your ventures," she would write in her careful script. "Your hard work and dedication inspire those around you." Never anything personal, never any mention of their past relationship or her feelings. Just simple, respectful acknowledgments of his professional achievements.
Even though her body screamed to be close to him, even though every instinct told her to show up at his office or his apartment and fight for his attention, she forced herself to stay away. She needed to show him that she could keep her word, that when she said she would respect his space, she meant it. The physical withdrawal was almost unbearable, like trying to quit a drug that had become essential for survival.
He was still hurt and needed space to heal, but the time apart worried Victoria immensely. She found herself thinking constantly about Gaia, James's secretary who had shown clear interest in him. The woman was young, beautiful, and uncomplicated in ways that Victoria could never be. She hadn't betrayed James, hadn't broken his trust, hadn't left him bleeding and raw from her mistakes. The thought of Gaia offering James the kind of uncomplicated affection that Victoria had destroyed kept her awake at night, staring at the ceiling and fighting off panic attacks.
Victoria threw herself into work with a ferocity that surprised even her longtime employees. She stayed late every night, took on projects she would normally delegate, and pushed herself to physical and mental exhaustion in an attempt to quiet the voices in her head that told her she had lost James forever. Her assistant Amara began leaving energy bars and vitamins on her desk, clearly concerned about her boss's sudden transformation into a workaholic zombie.
"Ms. Sharp," Amara had said one evening when she found Victoria still at her desk at nine PM, "perhaps you should go home and rest. You've been working fourteen-hour days for two weeks straight."
"I'm fine," Victoria had replied automatically, not looking up from her computer screen. "Just trying to stay productive."
But productivity was just another way of avoiding the crushing loneliness that waited for her at home, in the penthouse that had never felt more empty or more cold.
Soon it was time for Sharp Innovation's sixth anniversary celebration. Victoria had been planning this event for months, long before her world had imploded. The anniversary party was always a highlight of the company's social calendar, a chance to celebrate their success and strengthen relationships with partners and clients.
This year, she made the guest list with particular care. She invited only close partners, her employees, and after much internal debate, she extended an invitation to James. The decision had taken hours of agonizing deliberation. Would he see it as another manipulation? Would he think she was using a professional event to force contact? But ultimately, she decided that not inviting him would be even worse, like she was trying to erase their professional relationship entirely.
She looked forward to having him there with a mixture of desperate hope and nauseating anxiety. If he came, it would mean he was at least willing to maintain professional courtesy. If he didn't, it would be another confirmation that she had destroyed everything between them beyond repair.
The day of the event arrived crisp and clear, one of those perfect December evenings when the city sparkled with holiday lights and possibility. The venue was transformed into an elegant wonderland, with tasteful decorations that spoke of success and sophistication without being ostentatious. Everyone was dressed to the nines, the women in cocktail dresses that caught the light beautifully, the men in well-tailored suits that spoke of professional success.
Victoria nodded in approval as she surveyed the scene. She too looked impressive as always, wearing a deep burgundy dress that hugged her curves elegantly and made her skin glow. Her hair was swept up in an elegant chignon, and her makeup was flawless, but beneath the polished exterior, her stomach churned with nervous energy.
She delivered the opening speech with her usual poise, thanking everyone for their continued partnership and celebrating the company's achievements over the past year. She mingled with the guests afterward, sipping champagne and laughing on cue at appropriate moments, playing the role of the successful CEO to perfection. But her eyes kept glancing at the entrance, waiting for the one man who had a tight grip on her heart and life.