Chapter 7

Two weeks after Horizon's money hit our account, I signed for a new office in the Southside Arts District: a whole standalone building, three floors, and a rooftop terrace. The first floor held an open workspace and a screening room. The second floor was for the writers' studio and the editing suites. The third floor housed Monica's office, mine, and a children's corner.

It was for Lily, and for any coworker's child who might need it.

The moment Maya saw the children's corner, she yelped. "Claire, that's way too sweet."

"Don't call it sweet." I crouched down to adjust the little slide. "It's a necessity. Three of our writers are moms. If their kids have a safe place to stay, the moms can actually focus."

"So you're basically using company benefits to trap talent," Monica said, leaning against the doorframe.

"Yep. Cheap and effective."

On moving day, eighteen people showed up. Compared to the three of us in the beginning, we had grown sixfold. I stood at the entrance watching everyone carry boxes, hang artwork, and set up equipment while Maya ran over and handed me a coffee.

"Claire, tons of people are already taking photos and checking in," Maya said. "They're saying our office looks better than an influencer café."

"Looking good isn't the point," I said. "Making good work is."

"Yeah, yeah." Maya grinned. "Claire, you're sounding more and more like a boss lady these days."

"What kind of boss lady squats on the floor putting together a slide?"

"The kind with a kid."

I laughed.

That night when I got home, Lily had already been soothed to sleep by the nanny. I showered, lay in bed, and scrolled through the day's industry news. A push notification popped up: Brightwell Group had named Andrew Grant an outstanding manager. I looked at it for two seconds and swiped away.

It had nothing to do with me anymore.

I kept scrolling. A second notification popped up—an industry outlet had finally published the interview I did last week: "Sunspire Media Founder Claire Bennett: A Stay-at-Home Mom's Second Act and the Secret Behind 6 Million Dollars in Annual Revenue." The writing was decent, and the facts were mostly right.

The comments were lively. [A stay-at-home mom built a successful business. So inspiring.] [This company's content is actually good, not that brain-dead sugar fluff.] [Ms. Bennett is amazing. Raising a kid alone and still pulling this off.] Of course, there were bitter ones too: [A rich stay-at-home mom isn't the same as an ordinary one.] [If you started a business, then just say that. Why play the stay-at-home mom card?]

I was used to it by now. If you speak in public, getting cursed out is basically part of your salary.

I didn't bother with the comments section. I set my phone aside and closed my eyes. I had three meetings tomorrow. Time to sleep.

Three days later, near evening, I got a call I didn't expect. Andrew Grant. On my work phone. I hesitated for two seconds, then answered.

"What is it?"

"Lily's preschool fall sports day is next Saturday. Her teacher sent out the parent invites. I want to be there."

"The agreement says two in-person visits a month. You just saw her last week."

"I know. But this is different. It's a school event. A child needs her father..."

"Whether she needs her father or not, Lily can answer that herself. Hold on."

I brought the phone over to Lily. "Lily, Daddy says he wants to come to your sports day. Do you want Daddy there?"

Lily tilted her head and thought about it. "Yes. Can Daddy run? We have a parent-kid race!"

I took the phone back. "She said yes. Just go straight to the school that day."

"Okay. Thanks." He paused. "Claire..."

"Anything else?"

"No." Another pause. "Um... lately you..."

"I'm busy. I'm hanging up."

I ended the call.

Maya was beside me, chewing on an apple. She looked up. "What's his deal? All that stopping and starting."

"No idea. Don't care."

"You think he saw that interview?"

I paused for a second.

The interview didn't mention my private life, but it did say Ms. Bennett had once been a stay-at-home mom. If somebody had sent it to him, or if he'd run across it himself...

"So what if he did?"

"So what? He'd lose his mind. Finding out his ex-wife was secretly a total powerhouse." Maya laughed so hard she nearly choked. "I really want to see that polished elite face of his fall apart..."

"Maya."

"Yeah?"

"Are you ready for tomorrow's final script review?"

"...Yeah."

"Then stop eating apples and send me the files."

"Yes, ma'am, Ms. Bennett."