gala felt too bright tonight, eac

e pillar in the grand ballroo

was a constant, heavy c

across the room, a

, ever since I

al investment startup, it w

ice, second-hand desks, fueled

my connections, everythi

e crowd like a queen, rad

t, clear sound that didn

remonies stepped

me the driving force behind Veridia

filled

o the podium,

beautiful

ght at our annual Impact Investor

ing a future of ethical gr

ning the room, then landi

impeccably dressed.

tinued, her voice taking on an emotional trem

man walked onto the

ce full of pride. "A renowned art dealer, a vineyard owner

knot tighten in my stomach. Strategic pa

ness," Sarah said, her eyes shining as sh

e audience, placing a

r announcement, a symbol of

ly. "Alessandro and I

hen erupted in confused whispers a

cold. A chi

share your well-wishes on the comm

as a crushing weight now, but somethin

lar. My body felt frail, bu

eir faces a blur of

s. Sarah saw me. H

a flicker of something

the stage, my

jacket, fumbling with wea

f Sarah and me, seven ye

up, my han

arah?" I asked, my voice hoarse b

ed through

nother, and quickly walked off the

turned whit

, her voice low and f

y husband... he hasn't been well. H

er now. "You're pregnant with another m

ng the audience. "Your debilitating negativity! Your lack of vi

r than any physical bl

built, the li

arah," I said, the w

faces in the cr