Istraighten my Armani tie and take a deep breath.
The boardroom at Rossi Developments HQ has never felt so stifling. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Manhattan skyline, but even with all that space and light, I feel trapped. Constrained. Like I can’t get enough air into my lungs.
“Mr. Rossi, the investors are ready whenever you are.” Eleanor’s voice pulls me back to reality.
“Thank you. Send them in.”
The double doors open, and they file in one by one. Representatives from three different investment groups, their legal teams, two board members including Anya Sharma. Some of our Costa Rican partners appear on the large screens mounted on the wall, joining virtually.
Arthur Sterling, my lead counsel, leans in. “All the documents are finalized. Singapore came through with the last approval an hour ago.”
I nod, scanning the room as everyone takes their seats around the massive oak table. My eyes land on Tatiana.
She sits slightly apart from the main group, in a chair positioned near the side of the table. The supportive wife. The perfect partner. She looks immaculate in a cream turtleneck sweater and tailored navy pants. The high neck covers the marks I left on her skin last night.
My marks.
Last night feels like a dream now. Her in my arms, staying until morning. Her whispered question hanging between us:What if I don’t want to?
What if I don’t want to go back to our separate lives?
If only I were worthy of her. If only I were a better man, and not a coward.
“Shall we begin?” Arthur asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Yes.” I stand, addressing the room. “Thank you all for being here today. After months of negotiation, careful planning, and the occasional... unexpected development, we’re finally ready to close on Serenity Shores.”
A polite chuckle ripples through the room at my subtle reference to my sudden marriage. Mr. Chung’s expression remains impassive, but he gives me a small nod. Tatiana’s lips curve into a practiced smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.
I continue with the formalities, outlining the vision for the sustainable luxury resort one final time. “This will be the most environmentally advanced resort development in the western hemisphere. Carbon-neutral operations, regenerative design principles, fully integrated into the local ecosystem and economy.”
As I speak, I find myself stealing glances at Tatiana. She was instrumental in this. The supplier crisis she solved. The investor relations she smoothed over. The countless small but critical contributions that kept this deal from imploding after our Vegas disaster.
“Now, if there are no further questions, I believe we have some documents to sign.”
Arthur stands, directing the signing process with practiced efficiency. Documents are passed around the table. Legal teams confer in hushed tones. Digital copies are sent to our partners on the video screens.
I sign where indicated, my signature flowing across dozens of pages. My pen feels unusually heavy today.
“And with that, ladies and gentlemen, pending fund transfer confirmations, we have a deal.” Arthur announces, collecting the final signed document.
The room fills with respectful applause. Tatiana claps too, her eyes meeting mine across the room. There’s something in that look. Pride mixed with sadness. She knows as well as I do that this success marks the beginning of the end.
The monitors on the wall ping with notifications. Fund transfers showing up in real time. Billions moving across accounts.
The deal is done.
Done.
Finally.
I should feel triumphant. Elated. This is what all the chaos was for. The Vegas wedding. The media circus. The strained investor meetings. The clauses and agreements with Tatiana. All of it to secure this moment.
Instead, I feel hollow.
Utterly and absolutely hollow.
Anya Sharma approaches, champagne flute in hand. “Congratulations, Dominic. You pulled it off despite the... unexpected development, as you called it.”