Chapter 8 - The Story He Couldn’t Rewrite
By noon, Naomi’s team had sent a formal request to remove the photograph, correct the announcement, and stop implying an agreement that did not exist.
The foundation contacted its photographer.
He confirmed that he had not supplied Bianca with that image.
It had come from someone’s phone.
Naomi declined three interview requests.
She didn’t want strangers debating her marriage. She wanted an inaccurate business announcement corrected and her daughter’s picture removed.
Patterson Event Group published a brief statement.
There was no partnership agreement with Meridian Hospitality. Any potential transaction would follow the company’s established review process.
Nothing about Trevor.
Nothing about Bianca.
Nothing about eight years.
Grace read it and nodded.
“Boring. Excellent.”
But Trevor called before the post came down.
“You’re making me look dishonest.”
Naomi stood beside her office window.
“You announced something that wasn’t true.”
“It was aspirational.”
“It named my company.”
“We were trying to create momentum.”
“You used Lily’s photograph.”
“She’s my daughter too.”
Naomi closed her eyes briefly.
“Her picture is not a business asset.”
He said nothing.
Then, quietly, “I need this deal.”
For the first time, she heard how frightened he was.
It did not erase anything.
It did make his next words less surprising.
“If the sale falls apart, people lose their jobs.”
Naomi turned from the window.
“How many?”
“Twenty-six.”
“Then provide complete records to the review team. Let them assess what can be done.”
“You could just tell them yes.”
“No.”
He ended the call.
That afternoon, Patterson’s finance director requested an urgent meeting.
The preliminary review had uncovered revenue listed twice, customer deposits committed to unrelated expenses, and contracts described as renewed when renewal had never been confirmed.
There were also problems inside the sales materials.
A client testimonial had been edited so heavily that it suggested work Meridian hadn’t performed.
The finance director placed the documents on the table.
“We can’t recommend buying the business on these terms.”
Naomi folded her hands.
“What about the employees?”
“A separate firm has expressed interest in certain contracts and staff. That route may still be viable if Meridian cooperates.”
“Make sure our advisers communicate the concerns properly. I’m staying out of the decision.”
Afterward, she sat alone for several minutes.
She had imagined, once, that becoming successful would protect her from feeling small.
Instead, strength looked like sitting through an unpleasant meeting without letting old pain decide what happened to twenty-six strangers.
At four, Bianca arrived without an appointment.
Grace met her in reception.
Naomi agreed to ten minutes.
Bianca entered carrying a folder.
For once, she looked tired.
“I told him the announcement was premature.”
“But you posted it.”
“Yes.”
Naomi waited.
Bianca looked down.
“I thought if people believed the deal was happening, he’d stop panicking.”
“Did that work?”
“No.”
The answer hung between them.
Bianca opened the folder.
“These are corrected figures. I’ve sent copies to the advisers.”
“Why bring them here?”
“Because he’s telling everyone you’re destroying him.”
Naomi felt a familiar exhaustion.
“And what do you believe?”
Bianca swallowed.
“I think he’s been asking other people to hold up his life for a very long time.”
Naomi didn’t offer comfort.
Bianca had once laughed while Trevor described his pregnant wife with contempt.
Recognition eight years later could not make that moment disappear.
“The photograph comes down today,” Naomi said.
“It’s already down. A correction is going up.”
“Good.”
Bianca stood.
At the door, she stopped.
“I’m sorry.”
Naomi looked at her.
“For which part?”
Bianca’s face changed.
“All the parts I knew about and chose anyway.”
After she left, Naomi called Ruth.
“How’s Lily?”
“Painting a dragon purple.”
“Does she seem okay?”
“She asked whether grown-ups get nervous after winning prizes.”
Naomi’s throat tightened.
“What did you tell her?”
May you like
“That sometimes they do.”
For the first time all day, Naomi smiled.
