Chapter 8 - The Cost of Cruelty
By late afternoon, Vanessa’s sponsors had seen the video.
The first company released a statement ending its partnership with her.
Then a travel brand canceled a planned campaign.
A luxury hotel informed her that an upcoming promotional stay had been withdrawn.
Vanessa sat inside her rental car reading each message.
She told herself the anger would pass.
Online scandals always passed.
She could post an apology, cry in front of the camera, and explain that she had been under pressure. She could donate money to a children’s charity and describe the experience as a lesson.
She opened her phone and began recording.
“I want to address a deeply unfortunate misunderstanding that occurred today.”
She stopped.
The words sounded empty even to her.
Vanessa tried again.
“As someone who cares deeply about families and children—”
She deleted the recording.
Through the windshield, she could see Noah’s new castle rising above the crowd.
It was larger than the first one.
Hundreds of people had helped build it.
The tourism committee had placed temporary barriers around it so no one would accidentally damage it before the evening ceremony.
Vanessa’s former assistant approached the car carrying a small bag.
“I’m returning the company phone and access cards,” she said.
“Everyone is abandoning me over one mistake.”
The assistant shook her head.
“No. They’re leaving because one mistake showed them a pattern they kept pretending not to see.”
“You think I deserve to lose everything?”
“I think you should stop asking what you’re losing and look at what you destroyed.”
Vanessa stared toward the castle.
“I said I didn’t know about his father.”
“You knew he was crying.”
The assistant placed the bag on the hood of the car.
“That should have been enough.”
Then she walked away.
May you like
Vanessa remained inside the car as fireworks equipment was carried toward the stage.
For the first time in years, there was no assistant to fix the lighting, rewrite her apology, or tell her what expression to make.
