Chapter 19 #2
We stood like that, the roar of the engine slowly fading and the world settling back into place around us.
As I glanced over at Ellen, who gave me a silent thumbs-up from the control booth, I felt a sense of accomplishment I hadn’t felt in a long time.
It wasn’t just about the flight, the job done well.
It was about finally being on the same page with the man I loved again, finding a balance that we’d lost somewhere along the way.
And that, more than anything, felt like the true victory.
I kissed Patrick once more, his smile meeting mine as we stood in the sunlight, the hum of the busy city fading into the background.
Whatever challenges still lay ahead didn’t seem so daunting anymore.
We’d weathered the storm, and today, I could feel that we were finally coming out the other side, together.
There would always be work to do, more healing and learning, but I knew now, without a doubt, that we could face it, side by side.
The plane wasn’t the only thing that had been restored. So had we.
But the peace of the moment was suddenly interrupted by a flash and a shout. “Sadie! Over here!”
I whipped my head around just in time to see a man rushing across the airfield, holding up a camera and waving his other arm to get my attention.
His face was vaguely familiar, though I couldn’t place him right away.
All I knew was that I didn’t want to talk to the press, especially not after such a perfect day.
My chest tightened, and I stepped back instinctively.
I’d done everything in my power to keep this day low-key, not wanting Holbrook’s PR machine to turn the event into a media circus.
It wasn’t about the company, or the next quarter, or anything corporate.
It had been about the plane, the work, and finally having a moment where things weren’t tied up in the endless noise of public appearances.
“Great story here, right?” the man called out as he got closer. His camera was clicking furiously, snapping shots of me and Patrick as he grinned wide. “CEO Patrick Holbrook and his wife making history after the Alyssa Fletcher scandal! What a comeback!”
Alyssa’s name sliced through the peace like a knife.
My body went rigid, and I shot Patrick a look, seeing his own calm expression falter as the realization hit us.
Of course someone had leaked this. There was no other way for this man to have known exactly where to be.
Someone had seen an opportunity to make a splash, and I already knew who was likely behind it.
“Ignore him,” Patrick murmured, his voice firm. He moved subtly in front of me, shielding me from the camera with his body as he tried to steer me toward the hangar entrance. “Let’s get inside.”
But the photographer wasn’t having it. He circled around us, trying to catch my face again as he shouted another question. “Is this a publicity stunt for Holbrook’s new direction? Is it true that Alyssa Fletcher’s departure was a PR move?”
I clenched my jaw, doing everything I could to hold in the anger that threatened to boil over. “This is private property,” Patrick said, his voice sharper now as he stepped between me and the man, clearly losing patience. “You need to leave.”
The photographer raised an eyebrow, a smug smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “You’re a public figure, Holbrook. This is a story.”
“Sir,” I said, stepping back in front of my husband.
He held my waist, but let me take the lead.
“You need to leave. Whatever tip you think you’ve gotten came from my stepsister.
You should follow-up about why she got fired and ask her what she did afterward, just so you can get the full picture before you come to me for your tabloid scoop. ”
Patrick and I started walking back into the hangar, the photographer shouting questions at our backs as the metal door rattled closed behind us, shutting out the noise at last. But the damage had been done. My mood, which had been light and happy moments ago, was now clouded with anger.
I pressed my hand to my forehead, pacing the hangar as I tried to cool down. “How the hell did he even get in here?”
Patrick let out a frustrated sigh, running his hand through his hair. “Someone tipped him off. This was Alyssa’s doing. There’s no doubt in my mind.”
I stopped pacing and faced him, trying to steady my breath.
The last thing I wanted was to let her ruin this, but that seemed to be exactly what she had intended.
My stepsister had always loved finding ways to make things difficult, but this felt personal, more vicious than usual.
“I don’t know what game she’s playing anymore,” I said, my voice tight with frustration.
“I do,” Patrick answered, stepping closer, his eyes locked on mine.
“This was her way of trying to make herself look relevant again. But it’s just noise, Sadie.
Let’s not give her what she wants. If you want, I can get my real PR team working on it.
We’ve got records that could be leaked to the press, showing the reason she was fired.
I could probably hire someone to obtain her medical records to prove either that she isn’t pregnant or that she knew about it long before she weaponized it against you. ”
What Patrick offered was so tempting, especially after her failed to make such offers before.
He was a protector now, when he was just trying to get along before.
Seeing him like this, angry on my behalf, reminded me of the man I fell for in the first place.
“And what good will that do? If you send your goons after her, she’ll come back twice as hard, maybe even worse. ”
Patrick reached out, brushing his fingers across my cheek gently. “I want to show you how committed I am. That this time, it will be different. You don’t have to fight this alone anymore. I will do everything I can to protect you.”
There was something raw and sincere in his words, and despite the chaos, I felt my heart soften slightly.
Patrick wasn’t the same person who had ignored the signs with Alyssa months ago, he had grown in a way I never thought possible.
“Alyssa isn’t worth it. The more of a rise she gets, the more she’ll keep coming at me.
She’s the type of bully that thrives on the drama, but you have to keep feeding her. ”
“You make the call. I just want to help, Sadie.” Patrick stepped back, giving me space but making his point clear. I appreciated that about him now. He was listening. He respected what I wanted.
“I’d rather forget all about this and go back to enjoying the day,” I said after a long pause, my voice lighter now.
“Then that’s what we’ll do.” Patrick nodded, his expression softening. He glanced at the restored Trimotor, a small smile returning. “I think you deserve a celebration for this. Let’s put the press aside.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I took a deep breath, finally releasing the tension that had built up. I was ready to move on and focus on what mattered.
The rest of the day unfolded just as I had hoped.
Ellen joined us inside the hangar, bringing a bottle of champagne and a bag of snacks she’d been saving for the occasion.
We popped the bottle, the bubbles fizzing over as she poured glasses for each of us.
Even though the morning had started with tension, the afternoon turned into something relaxed, full of easy laughter and shared stories, the kind of moment that felt like we’d all come together not just as coworkers, but as friends.
But Ellen knew when she needed to disappear, leaving Patrick and me alone together.
This time, I kissed him, feeling safe and secure in the moment.
I didn’t know what the future would bring with Alyssa’s drama still hanging over us, but today, I allowed myself to enjoy the victory.
And more than that, I enjoyed having Patrick back, really back, as my husband.