Veronica made it home—avoiding all pop-ups and magazines announcing any possible royal engagement. She turned herself off to the world. She had a few days to prepare while Brian had another trip booked before the wedding. She had arrived in the states at night—into the San Francisco bay. When she stepped out of the airport, she braced herself against the cold. She looked out onto the twinkling night lights. She had forgotten how cold it was here. She had forgotten about the cityscape and the large buildings.

It was nothing like her home—her boat on the ocean gliding from tropical city to city.

She buried herself in her coat. She looked differently from everyone else. She looked tan and wild compared to the sleek business professionals littering the sleek and modern airport.

Her mom picked her up in a beat up sedan. As soon as her mom sprinted from the car—Veronica remembered how much she missed her mom. She wrapped her into a tight hug. Moms were supposed to be there for their daughters and hold them during heartache. It felt sadly ironic that Veronica embraced her mother in her arms as she felt the pain of Adrian's memory. They hugged for a long time—she didn't want to let her mom go.

"Are OK princess?" her mother smiled softly at her, calling her by her little nickname.

Veronica nodded, feeling tears in her eyes— "I just didn't realize how much I missed you."

Her mother gave her another tight squeeze.

"It's because I haven't seen my little princess in forever," her mother teared. It had been years actually—Veronica had made it a point to run away from her life when Duncan had sabotaged her. But her mother's warm smile soon turned into a concerned motherly rant—about all the things they needed to do before the wedding.

They drove back home—and Veronica admired how the city streets led into smaller but immaculate suburbs. This was why she loved the outdoors—nature was chaotic, adventurous, and beautiful—whereas the city was organized and boring.

"So honey—" her mother was full of chit chat about the wedding, "Have you checked your responses from the guests?" Veronica grimaced, she saw the plenty of email RVSPs in her inbox—but, she hadn't bothered to check.

"Right—I need to do those—" she groaned, this already felt like a chore.

Her mother gave her a side glance, "Is there something going on—something you want to talk about?"

Veronica did a double take, "No—of course not, why?"

"Because we've been in this car for half an hour and you have spoken a word about the wedding—you keep talking about the boat and the guests, someone like you should be beaming."

Veronica tried on her best smile—feeling a little angry at herself. Maybe Cressida was right, maybe she was easy to read.

"Nonsense—I guess I didn't want to overwhelm you with all my chat about the wedding—I figured you would want to hear about the places and people."

The car pulled into the dark apartment buildings—it was a cluster of apartments, all arranged like a quaint and repetitive suburb. When Veronica stepped out, she felt the walls incredibly close to her—with all these street lights, you could barely see any of the stars above. She inhaled, trying to push back the feeling of claustrophobia.

"I'll get your things, why you don't you go ahead and settle in," her mom began to unpack the light items Veronica brought with her.

Veronica entered her old apartment, feeling like she had been hit with memory lane. She walked into the small place—it made her feel small. The place was lined with photos, they covered the walls. There were boxes lined up against the wall and stacked high. The photos contained pictures of Veronica, her mom, and dad. They held so many memories—from theme parks, to birthdays, to travels up and down the coast. She reached out to touch one, it sent a sting through her.

Her mom shuffled in behind her—Veronica helped her mom bring in the luggage, and when they were done, she watched her mom prep a light and late dinner.

Veronica breathed in deep—letting herself soak into their home. She watched her mom hum happily in the kitchen. Her mom had been alone a long time—since her father passed away suddenly when she small. It had been hard for her mother—to balance Veronica, life, and money on her own. They lost the house—and her mom lost job after job due to cuts and recessions. Her mom was a warrior though—Veronica could see it now. Her mother had made it through all that on her own. And yet, Veronica had spent her life listening to her mother's worry—her mother's concern that Veronica would end up like her.

Her mother sat in front of her now, chatting about the wedding as they ate spaghetti. Her mother talked ecstatically about Veronica's new life.

Veronica placed a hand on her mother's—and her mom stopped talking.

"What is it dear?" her eyes looked full of concern.

Veronica smiled at her mom, "Mom—you don't know how amazing you are—you raised me and did all this by yourself." Veronica gestured to the apartment around them.

Her mother looked down, "But, it's not like it used to be."

Veronica leaned over, embracing her mother into a tight hug. She was proud of her mom—Veronica hadn't realized it before, but her mom had been her role model—the example on how to survive without a man, "But, it was definitely enough."

Veronica had awoken with the sun in her eyes. She stretched on her bed – feeling well rested – she wasn't used to the dry land. She was used to sleeping throughout the waves – as they rocked her back and forth. But last night, she had gone to sleep with an epiphany. Veronica realized that she had been afraid of something that she didn't need to be afraid of. Her life, she had been raised to fear the single life.

That didn't erase her debt for Mario and from others. But, for the first time, Veronica felt a new hope. She felt a stirring within her heart – something that taste like freedom. She jumped out of bed – landing on the soft carpet, almost wanted to giggle – she felt like a schoolgirl, expecting for the future.

She grabbed a piece of paper and a pen – sitting down at her desk as she listed all the numbers that she owed.

One by one, she added them up – and on top of that, slammed down the large number that belonged to Mario.

Her eyes popped open in shock – she had so much debt.

But – with some effort, and a couple of jobs – I think I could pay this down sooner than I think." She opened up a laptop on her desk – quickly doing some internet searches on debt counseling and financial plans. She thought to herself that she could try to get the credit cards on board – letting them know about her circumstances. Then, she could try to communicate with Mario – she was halfway across the world now – he might be more obliging now that she was at a distance.

She could even up her minimum payment – letting him know that she was good with her word.

For the first time she thought, this might be doable.

She still hated Duncan – but thought of him seared into her – but, she info so trapped. Her eyes glazed around her room – it was the exact same way she had left it when she went looking for Duncan.

There were photos plastered all over her wall – of tropical islands, a faraway cities, and romantic lands. She laughed herself – she had seen all these in real life. All thanks to the circumstances that had occurred to her. She giggled.

She had seen the world to push – and now, with a new push she was going to take back control of her life.

It was the perfect plan – but, it was a plan.

She got dressed – taking in the morning sun. She flew to the kitchen – and cooked up eggs and bacon for her and her mother. For a moment, she stared at the stove – having not use one in couple of years. She smiled herself – she could consider herself spoiled – she had a sharp on board all times.

But, she would learn again.

When she opened her inbox – her eyes popped open at the email towards the top of the list.

Veronica choked on her food in surprise, it was from Megan. She recognize the full name.

This title of the email sounded cryptic – "For your service."

It sounded like she was a brave warrior something – she hesitantly clicked open the email.

Her eyes scanned through text – there were tons of paragraphs. She realized that she was looking at an attached PDF – with little boxes in it. The boxes each contain the name of some one or company that she owed money to. And at the end of each row – there was the total of what she owed them beside a new column, a column that displayed the zeros per each row.

Towards the end of the email – Megan thanked Veronica for her service – telling her that it was a gift on behalf of Adrian, but that of course, other than this email – he was not to be attached to this gift.

Veronica's jaw dropped – her heart pumped against her ribs.

She blinked – looking over the paper again.

"This can't be real," she looked back at the name – it was Megan's all right. She looked through the PDF again and again and again. Even Mario's name was on there – a signature underneath his printed name. He had been paid off in full.

Is she serious?

As if on cue, a text buzzed through her phone.

It was an unknown number – and she recognize the message immediately. A confirmed her wildest dreams.

Lucky you – pleasure doing business with you.

– Mario

Veronica's heart sank and her stomach – the joy erupted from her lungs – she screamed in total happiness.

She jumped up from her seat, bouncing up and down with the realization.

Her mother came in – flying with the robe barely on – "What's going on?"

Veronica beamed at her mother, screaming with peer bliss.

She grabbed her mother by the shoulders – shaking up and down – "Mom, I'm free!"