Chapter 16 - The Invitation
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The news of our engagement hit the press like a velvet thunderbolt. This time, there were no scandals, no leaked videos, and no frantic damage control. The headline in the Wall Street Journal simply read:
STERLING GLOBAL HEIR ENGAGED TO DESIGN TYCOON VICTORIA VANCE IN HAMPTONS PROPOSAL.
Three days after the announcement, I was sitting in my SoHo office finalizing the floral concepts for our upcoming ceremony when my assistant, Sarah, walked in holding a silver tray with a handwritten letter.
"This was hand-delivered to the front desk, Miss Vance," Sarah said softly. "It’s from your sister."
I looked at the thick cream envelope. I hadn't spoken directly to Danielle in over a year. The only updates I received were brief mentions from my mother during our weekly Sunday brunches.
I opened the envelope carefully. Inside was a single card written in Danielle’s distinct, looping handwriting:
Vicki,
I don't expect you to invite me. I don't expect you to forgive me. But I wanted you to know that I am finally in therapy. I am learning why I spent my whole life trying to tear down the only person who ever truly cared about me. You deserve every bit of happiness with Sebastian. I am raising my daughter to be like you—strong, independent, and honest.
I'm sorry.
Danielle.
I read the letter twice, letting out a long, quiet breath.
"Is everything okay, Vic?" Laura asked, stepping into the office with two iced lattes.
May you like
"Yeah," I said, setting the letter down inside my desk drawer. "Everything is finally where it belongs."
Forgiveness didn't mean allowing her back into my daily life. It meant dropping the last lingering scrap of resentment so my heart was entirely clear for the future.
