Chapter 10 - The View from the Top
One year later.
The rooftop garden of the Apex Global Logistics headquarters was bathed in the golden light of an August sunset.
String lights twinkled among the olive trees and blooming white hydrangeas. Below us, the Chicago River snaked through the city like a ribbon of molten silver, reflecting the glass towers of the skyline.
Over a hundred guests filled the garden—Apex Global board members, international trade partners, federal prosecutors, close friends, and family.
We were celebrating two milestones tonight: Apex Global’s full financial recovery, marked by a record-setting quarterly earnings report that had sent our stock to an all-time high, and Victoria’s first birthday.
I stood near the edge of the glass balustrade, wearing a floor-length emerald green silk gown that swept softly against the wooden deck. My hair was styled in soft waves over my shoulders. I held a glass of sparkling water, watching Victoria—who was now walking with hilarious, energetic determination—chase a red balloon across the deck while Maya knelt nearby, laughing and ready to catch her if she tripped.
Evelyn walked over, holding two glasses of champagne, and handed one to Maya while joining me at the railing.
"She has your stride, Natalie," Evelyn said, watching Victoria with a proud, radiant smile. "Determined, fast, and completely fearless."
"She gets that from her grandmother," I said softly, touching my glass to hers.
"How does it feel?" Evelyn asked, turning to look at me. "Leading a six-billion-dollar company, raising a brilliant daughter, and having the entire business world calling you the most formidable CEO in the Midwest?"
I looked out over the glowing city skyline.
I thought about the night Ethan had tried to force me to sign away my life. I thought about the cold floor of Courtroom 402, the kick beneath the table, the hand in my hair, and the terrifying moment when I thought my world had ended.
And then I thought about the lock throwing on those double oak doors. I thought about the gavel striking the bench, the sound of my daughter's first cry, and the magnificent, unyielding strength that had risen inside me when I realized I didn't need anyone to save me—I was built to lead.
"It feels quiet, Mom," I said, a deep, radiant smile touching my lips. "It feels completely, beautifully quiet."
Victoria came toddling over to us, her tiny hands reaching up toward my dress, holding out a crumpled yellow flower she had picked from one of the garden pots.
"Mama!" Victoria chirped, her big dark eyes shining under the sunset lights. "Look!"
I knelt down on the wooden deck, taking the yellow flower from her tiny hand, and pulled my daughter close into my arms, pressing a kiss to her soft, warm cheek.
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"It's beautiful, my love," I whispered against her hair. "It's absolutely beautiful."
I stood up with Victoria cradled securely against my hip, standing tall at the top of the world, surrounded by light, power, and an endless horizon stretching out as far as the eye could see.
