THE RIVAL HEIR

CHAPTER2:EVERYTHING IS FALLING

Victoria's Pov

I didn't remember driving home.One minute I was walking out of the gala with cameras flashing behind me.Next, I was standing in the living room of the Neuman penthouse, heels in one hand and silence pressing against my ears.The apartment used to be noisy. Dad always had people dropping by after work, and someone was usually laughing in the kitchen. Now I could hear the clock in the hallwayNow the only sound was the ticking clock in the hallway.I dropped my heels beside the sofa and walked toward the office.The lights were still on. I couldn't remember turning them on before I left.Papers covered the desk. Financial reports, loan statements, letters from the bank.I stared at them for a long moment before letting out a slow breath.For weeks I'd been telling myself things would get better.That we'd find another investor.That another hotel sale would buy us enough time.That somehow I'd figure everything out.Tonight had proved how wrong I'd been.The Verona Grand Hotel was gone. Just like that.I sat down on the chair and reached for the nearest file.Numbers filled the page, outstanding debt,missed payments, operating costs.The same words stared back at me every night.Only the numbers kept getting worse.A quiet knock sounded at the door."Come in." My mother stepped inside.Even in a simple silk robe, my mother carried herself with a quiet elegance I'd always admired.She smiled when she saw me.It didn't quite reach her eyes."I thought you'd be asleep."I looked at the papers scattered across the desk."I was hoping they would magically fix themselves while I was gone."A faint laugh escaped her."If only."She crossed the room and rested her hand on my shoulder."You've been working too hard.""I don't think the bank accepts rest as payment." I answered. "No," she said gently. "But your body eventually demands it."I leaned back in my chair and rubbed my eyes."I'm fine."She gave me a look that told me she didn't believe a word of it."You've said that every day this week.”"Maybe one day it'll be true."Silence settled between us.My mother glanced toward the city lights outside the window before speaking again."I spoke with the bank this afternoon."I looked up.Something in her voice made me nervous. "They've refused another extension."For a second, I just sat there.I knew it was coming.I'd prepared myself for it.Still, hearing the words out loud felt different.More final. “I see."It was the only response I could manage.She moved a little closer."Victoria..." I shook my head."If you tell me everything will be okay, I might actually lose my mind."A sad smile crossed her face."I wasn't going to." That surprised me enough to look at her."I was going to say that I'm sorry you're carrying all of this alone."The words caught me off guard.I looked down at the papers"I have employees counting on me."She looked at me. The daughter who hadn't slept properly in weeks.The woman tried to hold together a company that seemed determined to fall apart no matter how hard she fought."I just need a little more time," I whispered."I know.""I can fix this.”She didn't answer.Not because she didn't believe me but because she wasn't sure anyone could.When my mom left the office, I stared at the papers for another minute before pushing them aside.I couldn't look at another number tonight.My phone buzzed against the desk.Sofia.I answered without thinking.Sofia: "Please tell me you're asleep."Victoria: "I was about to ask you the same thing," Sofia: "Have you been online?""No." I replied sharply. That got my attention.Victoria: "What happened?"Sofia: "The videos from the gala are everywhere. Everyone's talking about you and Alex."I closed my eyes. "Wonderful.”Victoria: "It'll die down,"Will it?"Sofia didn't answer.That was enough to answer.A few seconds passed before she spoke again.Sofia: "I'm outside." I frowned.Victoria: "What?"Sofia: "I brought coffee."Victoria: "It's almost midnight."Sofia: "I know."Victoria: "You do realize normal people don't visit at this hour."Sofia: "Good thing I'm not normal.”Despite everything, I smiled.Ten minutes later, she let herself in, balancing two cups of coffee and a paper bag that smelled like fresh pastries.Sofia: "I figured you hadn't eaten."Victoria: "I had..." She raised an eyebrow.Sofia: "...coffee."Victoria: "I knew it."She handed me one of the cups before sitting across from me.For a while, neither of us spoke.The silence wasn't uncomfortable. It was familiar.Finally, Sofia looked at me."My dad called this morning."I looked up.Sofia: "He had a meeting with Vincent Carter."My grip tightened around the coffee cup.Victoria: "And?"Sofia: "He said the Carters are willing to help Neuman Hotels."A bitter laugh slipped out.Sofia: "They're interested in saving it?"I already knew I wasn't going to like whatever came next.Sofia hesitated.Sofia: "Victoria... they have one condition."I searched her face, and something about the way she avoided my eyes made me more nervous. "What condition?” I asked immediately She took a deep breath "They want you and Alex to announce a public engagement."I stared at her.For a moment, I honestly thought I'd misheard.Victoria: "You're joking right?’Sofia: "I wish I was.”