Ch 17

The first few weeks in New York were... exhausting. Mornings blurred into afternoons spent at the kitchen table with my laptop open, coffee going cold beside me, and the cursor blinking back like some cruel metronome of failure. I'd sent out countless applications, attended interviews, and yet every response seemed to follow the same rhythm: polite, encouraging, and then... rejection.

"They loved your credentials, Dr. De Torre," I muttered to myself one evening, staring at an email that ended with the familiar, soul-crushing phrase: We regret to inform you... "But, unfortunately, we cannot proceed at this time."

Lea appeared in the doorway, holding her own mug of tea, her expression soft. "Another one?" she asked, though she didn't need to. She could see it in my slump, in the tight line of my shoulders.

I rubbed at my eyes. "Yeah. They all say the same thing. 'Your experience is impeccable, but...' And then there's the pause. The 'but.'"

She came closer, brushing a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "But what?"

"They all know my family, hon," I admitted, voice tight. "They know the De Torres. They see my name and... it's like it's a scarlet letter. No matter what I've accomplished, they're terrified of politics, of backlash. It's like I can't be judged for me, only for them."

Lea crouched beside me, her fingers tracing the edge of mine. "You can't control what they think about your family. You can only control yourself. And what you've done... it's more than enough. You're brilliant, honey. You always have been."

Her words settled on me like sunlight after a storm. I exhaled, letting some of the tension leave my chest. "I just wanted a fresh start," I admitted. "To be recognized for me, not for the name I was born into."

"You will," she said softly. "You're too stubborn, too talented to be overlooked forever, doc."

I smiled faintly, but the gnawing anxiety in my chest didn't ease entirely. Until the phone rang. I answered, expecting another rejection.

"Dr. De Torre? This is Dr. Henderson from Mount Sinai. We've reviewed your application again and would like to offer you a position in our department."

I froze. "You... you're serious?"

"Yes. After reconsidering, and taking into account additional recommendations, we'd be thrilled to have you on board."

I exhaled in disbelief, heart hammering. "Oh my God... thank you. I... I don't know what to say."

Lea leaned against the counter, eyes wide, grinning. "I knew it. I never doubted you."

I held the phone in my hand for a long moment, then my curiosity gnawed at me. "Wait," I said, calling back. "Dr. Henderson, may I ask... what made you reconsider?"

There was a pause, then a quiet laugh. "Dr. De Torre... it wasn't solely your application that led us to this. We received a recommendation from someone who carries significant weight — someone we trust implicitly."

I pressed. "Who?"

"Your brother, Raymond," the voice said. Relief and astonishment collided in my chest. "He reached out personally, vouched for you, emphasized your experience and dedication. We reconsidered because he made us see the full picture. He believes in you — and so do we."

I sank back into my chair, stunned. Raymond... my brother had moved behind the scenes, unseen, ensuring I had this chance. For a moment I was speechless, overwhelmed with gratitude.

Lea's hand found mine. "Well?" she asked, eyes bright, voice soft.

I turned to her, smiling despite the lingering weight of the past weeks. "It was Raymond," I said. "He... he made them reconsider. He vouched for me."

She grinned, the warmth in her eyes making my chest ache in the best way. "Looks like you owe him one. Or maybe a few."

I laughed softly. "I suppose I do. But more than that... it feels good to finally be seen for me. On my own terms. And... I get to do it here, with you."

She leaned against my shoulder, warm and steady. "That's all that matters, hon. You've got this. And I get to be here, cheering you on, every step of the way."

And for the first time in months, maybe years, I felt a weight lift from my chest. The future was still uncertain, but it was ours to face. And this time, I wasn't alone.