Page 56 of Magnetic God

“Girl, you know this wouldn’t be possible without you.” I put my arm around her shoulder. “We did it, Ren.”

Her eyes are watering as she looks at me. “You did it, Han.”

“Stop. You’re going to make me cry.”

We share a watery smile and then I pull away.

“Ren, I really couldn’t have done it without you. For a while, you and my dad were the only ones who believed in me.”

“We saw what was always there, Hannah. Now everyone sees it.” She wipes at her eyes and shakes her head. “Okay. I’m going to make sure the champagne is ready. And then I’m going to do a quality check on it.”

I’m laughing as she walks away.

Everything is going to go without a hitch tonight. I can feel it in my bones.

My phone rings and I smile when I look at the screen.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Hannah-banana! How’s my girl?”

“Good! Just getting ready for the gala.”

He sighs. “Sure wish I could be there tonight.”

“Dad, you’re on your honeymoon. It’s okay!”

“That’s what Jeannie keeps saying, but I still feel guilty. Just know that I’m so proud of you.”

“I know you are, Dad. And none of this would be possible without you.”

He scoffs. “Hannah, I always knew you were going to be successful. You just needed to get away from your mother and her husband to see it for yourself.”

He’s not wrong. Mom and the Pastor did their best to break me down to be their version of a perfect daughter. If I hadn’t left to live with my Dad when I did, there’s no telling where I’d be now. My life certainly wouldn’t look like this.

“Are they coming to your gala?”

I let out a small laugh. “If they come tonight, then it will be uninvited.”

“Still haven’t heard from them?”

“No, but I don’t reach out to them anymore, so it’s partly my fault.”

“As long as you’re happy.”

“I am. I promise.”

“Good. Well, I just wanted to call and tell you how much I love you. Jeannie says she loves you, too.”

“I love you both, too. Have fun!”

The call ends and I tuck my phone into the pocket of my gown. Yes, my gown has pockets. I mean, all good dresses do!

As much as I wish Dad and Jeannie were here, I really am happy they decided to go on their honeymoon in Italy. Dad worked hard all his life and now that he’s retired and found love with his former co-worker, he deserves to be happy. And Jeannie is the best stepmom ever. Hell, I like her better than my mother. I only wish they would have found each other sooner, but I also believe that everything happens for a reason, good or bad.

Renee makes her way to me, a glass of champagne in hand. “This is really good. And our first guests have arrived.” Her voice lowers. “It’s the Prince of Sweden and his fiancée.”

My eyebrow lifts. “I wasn’t sure they were going to accept.”

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