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“You didn’t tell me,” he said abruptly.
“Because I handled her on my own.”
“Still, anything having to do with the boat must be shared. No secrets, Nadia. That’s how our lives work.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” He took out his phone. “I’ll make sure the team checks into this.”
I felt terrible because I hadn’t thought it was a secret, but now I know everything matters.
I went through the rest of the folder. The farm was rural, and so were their lives. And they didn’t want to destroy what they had built there. I waited for more tears to come, but they didn’t, and I searched my conscience. Relief. I didn’t want Nora to be in jail or hurt, and that was because of the Sokols, my parents. They raised me to care about others.
“How do you feel now?” Paul asked and put his phone down.
I took a deep breath. “Relieved. Happy that she has a life. Rejected because she has a new family, but I’m fine. The best thing she ever did was give me to my mom and dad. I have the best parents in the world, and I’m grateful. I have her story, and honestly, she’s not important to me. And even if she does come forward, it doesn’t matter. She doesn’t know me or I, her. I…I did things to help my family and have to live with it. But there is something I’m worried about.”
“What is that?” Paul held my hands.
I hunched my shoulders. “This isn’t going to be easy for you. Your brand. The scrutiny. Being with a woman who was after money—”
“And I gave it to you even before you agreed to be with me.” Paul squeezed my hands. “Hell, I knew everything in your past and didn’t care. I’m more worried about how it will affect your well-being.”
“I’m not backing down. No one gets to dictate my story. My life is defined by me.”
“Hearing you ready to fight is so damn sexy.” He kissed me. “So what about meeting with Celeste?”
“I think I should. It’s just more closure, but after the deposition. I think if I’m going to be a mother one day, then I want to have the answers to share with our….”
“Our children, Nadia.” He kissed and hugged me, and I snuggled in his arms.
Buzz. My phone vibrated in my bag. I checked the message and tensed. Tomas. It was great to feel confident, but seeing his name set my nerves on end. While I was sure about going forward with the case, he would have heard many negative things about me, including the Lollipop application.
“Why are you not answering?” Paul asked.
“It’s Tomas. He knows and is the creative director. He’ll have to consider the brand.”
“You can only answer.”
I took a deep breath. “Hello, Tomas. I’m sorry I didn’t call.”
“Not at all, Nadia. I know you’re back in the United States for their shaming circus,” he scoffed.
“Yeah. I’m sorry about the troubles having me and my life associated with Givenchy—”
“Stop it. I know you. You’re a designer and a good one. I have already released a statement in support of you to the press and the New York School of Design. You are welcome to return without an internship.”
My eyes filled and my heart soared. “What? Are you serious?” My fingers tightened on the phone. Is this real?
“C’est moi, Nadia. I don’t joke about work.”
A sob bubbled up in my throat and tears flowed down my face. “You want me to stay on? You’re making me cry.”
“Non, you’re emotional. And I already miss you here. Get it over, and then come work in Paris. We love you here.”
“Merci, Tomas. Je t’aime.”
Paul raised his brows, and I grinned at him.
