I don’t wait for Noah to say anything. Not that he can anyway.
He’s dumbstruck.
I climb up the short steps and approach the front of the stage, grabbing the mic from Roman’s outstretched hand with steady fingers. I raise my gaze to look at him, but his expression is unreadable as usual.
“Thank you,” I say, letting the sound of my voice cut through the near-silence in the room. “It is so good to be back after so long.”
A murmur spreads across the crowd. People are confused, because while the winery had been opened and funded in my name, Roman has been the face of Domaine S. It was my choice to stay in the sidelines, and now, it’s time for me to take over.
A few people might know who I am from when I was married to Noah, but that isn’t what I’m counting on.
I spot Vanessa seated all al
