Chapter 7 - The Plaza Takeover
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The Grand Ballroom at The Plaza Hotel was filled with towering crystal vases of white peonies, velvet linens, and an eight-piece jazz band that had been hired to play light romantic classics.
When the double doors opened and I walked in arm-in-arm with Sebastian Sterling—still in my immaculate wedding gown—the room went wild.
Laura had arrived early and briefed the catering staff. Within five minutes, white-gloved waiters were circling the room carrying silver trays loaded with Vintage Dom Pérignon.
"To Victoria!" Laura shouted, raising her crystal flute high in the air. "The strongest, most gorgeous woman in New York City!"
"To Victoria!" two hundred voices roared back in unison.
I stood near the center of the ballroom, laughing as my college friends surrounded me, snapping photos, keeping the atmosphere electric and triumphant.
My father walked over, holding two glasses of whiskey. He handed one to Sebastian, giving him a firm nod of gratitude.
"Mr. Sterling," my father said, his voice gravelly with emotion. "I don't think I've had a chance to properly thank you for handling that... situation."
"There's no need, Mr. Vance," Sebastian replied smoothly, taking a sip of his drink. "Your daughter handled the situation herself. I merely provided the door."
My father looked at me, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "I'm so sorry, Vicki. I should have seen what was happening under my own roof. I should have protected you."
I squeezed my father's hand. "You're here now, Dad. That's what matters."
Behind him, my mother was sitting at Table 1, typing furiously on her phone. Every few minutes, she would glance at me with a mixture of guilt and anxiety. I knew Danielle was blowing up her phone, screaming about being thrown out by security, demanding that Mom force me to shut down the reception.
But for the first time in my life, my mother's divided loyalty couldn't touch me.
Sebastian stepped closer to my side, his shoulder lightly brushing mine. "You're handling this remarkably well, Victoria. But you're allowed to drop the shield if you need to."
May you like
I looked up into his gray eyes, feeling a sudden wave of genuine warmth. "Honestly, Sebastian? I thought I would feel like my heart was torn out. But standing there at the altar... I realized I didn't lose a husband. I just escaped a trap."
Sebastian’s eyes darkened with something fierce and protective. "Then let's make sure the trap never closes again."
