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“I’ve noticed you were rarely seen by the media. Can I ask why that is?” I was glad we had gone over the questions ahead of time. My parents might have never really heard me, never seen my side of this fight. To them, it wasn’t a family fall out; it was just Lilah acting irrationally. The judgment and pressure from their peers…That would hit them harder than anything else.

“Public speaking is not something I’m good at. I’ve never been comfortable talking about myself, especially on camera.” It wasn’t a lie. This was the first time I didn’t have a pit of anxiety in my stomach. I felt confident in how I looked, but more importantly, in my answers. For once, I got to share my side.

“Why come forward now?” Cami asked.

“I felt I had a responsibility to speak up so the truth of my situation could be understood. As difficult as it has been to know that people believe these false impressions of me, the fact that it has affected the company is unacceptable. I never wanted the employees to be caught in the middle or harmed by these misrepresentations. My greatest concern in doing this interview was the potential impact it could have on my grandparents’ company, which means so much to me and to the people who work there.” My palms were sweaty, and I pressed them against my dress. Fear that my speaking out would hurt The Wright & Co. ate at me. Part of me felt like I was betraying my grandparents, but I knew if Grandma Rosie were alive, she would want me to do this. To clear the air, tell the truth—my truth.

“And growing up, was it your decision or your parents’ to keep you away from the media?” Cami redirected the conversation.

“I would say it was a mix of both factors. I’ve always sort of been the black sheep of the family. I was easily overwhelmed under pressure. My parents agreed that it would be best if I stayed back, let Lissette handle the press. She has a gift for it. She’s far more confident and self-assured than I ever was. As she should be.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Well, Lissette has always been the true success of the family, my parents’ pride and joy. Lissette is incredibly charming and outgoing. Her ability to work a room, remember everyone’s names, and say the right thing is something I could never do. As sweet as she is, she’s also smart and cunning. Lissette will do whatever it takes to close the deal. She has a level of ruthlessness I just do not possess.” It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t something I envied. I was finally starting to realize it was okay to be soft, to feel too much, to let emotions impact decisions. It wasn’t a weakness; it was a gift. Even if Lissette and my parents couldn’t see that.

“I’m far more reserved, shy…A lot like my Grandma Rosie. Lissette is more outspoken, like my parents. They’re a great team, and they work hard for their mutual aspirations. It’s why I was so confident in my decision to leave. I knew they would step up and make sure the company was taken care of.”

“But in the last two fiscal quarters, the company’s stock has plummeted. There have been specific reports and complaints regarding the department your sister took over. Criticism for budget cuts and staff reduction?”

“Unfortunately, I wouldn’t know. My departure from the company wasn’t under the best conditions, and I haven’t had any contact with the employees since I left.”

“All employees? Including your sister? Your parents?” I nodded, my eyes shifting at the sudden lump in my throat. As angry as I was, I was still hurt. The way they had cut me out so easily, only seeking me out when they needed something, burned. That little girl who wanted her parents to love and accept her still existed inside of me.

“Can you explain the relationship between Wright Co. and another Fortune 500 company, Spencer & Hall?”

“Spencer & Hall is the largest packaging manufacturer in the United States. It’s a family-run company The Wright Co. has worked with for almost two decades.”

“And is that how you met your former fiancé, Kyle Spencer?"

“Yes. When we met, we were both working for our parents.”

“So was your engagement some sort of business merger?” Camilla asked. I froze.

“Not to me. With time and distance, I do think that is how some of our family and friends felt, though. The relationship was mutually beneficial to both companies. There’s no ignoring that.” I paused, shooting a look at Eliot, whose eyes met mine. He didn’t smile, didn’t nod, just making sure I saw him. One look was enough. He was there. He saw me. He heard me. He wasn’t going anywhere.

“Kyle was my first love, and yes, I did love him—or what I imagined love felt like at that time. No relationship is perfect or easy, but the issues between us went much deeper than leaving the toilet seat up or working too many hours.” Camilla nodded before aiming a sympathetic look at me and the invisible audience behind the camera.

“Kyle has told everyone that you just needed time to find yourself, but that he’s waiting for you. He’s implied that the wedding isn’t canceled, but merely postponed.”

“I have not seen or spoken to Kyle since the night I canceled the wedding. And yes, that’s canceled, not postponed.” I looked into the camera.

“Growing up, I saw the love my grandparents had. That’s what I wanted, and I wasn’t going to settle for less. I realized I wasn’t willing to sacrifice my happiness, my chance at a future that was of my own making, to appease everyone else. As much as it killed me, I couldn’t put my family or the company ahead of my own well-being.

“In the months leading up to the wedding, our relationship had devolved, and I called the engagement off. When the time came, that was the decision I had to make. To do what was best, what was safest, for me.” I paused, looking back at Eliot for strength.

“And my only regret is that I didn’t leave sooner.” Camilla’s eyes widened as I hid a smirk.

“When you say devolved, could you tell us what that looked like?” she replied, and I was grateful I didn’t have to answer, to rehash that time.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not really comfortable talking about it at this time. There are some…legal issues at play that I’m not at liberty to discuss. When it comes to my relationship with Kyle Spencer, all there is to know is that there is none. We are no longer acquaintances of any kind.” Camilla leaned back in her seat, as if blown away by my revelation.

“And your family? How did they react to the news?”

“They were upset, naturally. A lot of time, energy, and money had gone into planning the event.”

“But isn’t it true that you personally reimbursed your parents all of the expenses?” I nodded before clearing my throat.

“Yes, most of the vendors were incredibly understanding and were able to at least partially refund us. I covered the difference from my personal funds, so at the end of the day, my parents didn’t lose any money on my poor decision making.”