Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 48

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Chapter 35

(Sabrina’s POV)

25 Points

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The next morning I’m wiping toothpaste off Jake’s Spider-Man shirt when I get a call.

“Ms. Moore? This is Jennifer from Hale Global’s HR department. We’d like to schedule an interview for the Creative Director position. Would today at two PM work for you?”

My heart stops. “Today?”

“I know it’s short notice, but we’re looking to fill the position quickly. If today doesn’t work-”

“No! Today works. Two PM. I’ll be there.”

I hang up and stare at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. Dark circles under my eyes. Hair that needs washing. The professional blazer I packed is wrinkled from being stuffed in my suitcase.

But even if it takes me hours to get ready, I’m making it to that interview. This is the chance I’ve been waiting for.

“Mommy?” Jake appears in the doorway. “Why do you look scared?”

“I’m not scared, baby. I have a job interview today.”

His face lights up. “Does that mean we can leave the hotel?”

“Maybe. If I get the job.” I kneel down to his level. “But I need you to be extra good at school today, okay? No getting into trouble.”

“I’m always good.”

“I know you are.” I pull him into a hug, breathing in his little-boy smell. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Mommy. You’re gonna get the job. I know you are.”

I wish I had his confidence.

But after days of facing numerous automated rejections, I know better than to set high expectations.

After dropping Jake at Early Learners Academy, I drive back to the hotel and spend an hour trying

to make myself look presentable, professional.

Where are Sophia’s power suits when I need one?

I iron my blazer. Touch up my makeup. Pull my hair into a neat, professional bun.

The woman staring back at me in the mirror looks capable. Confident.

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I just hope I give off the same presence at the interview.

+25 Points

Hale Global’s headquarters is downtown, all glass and steel reaching toward the sky. I stand on the

sidewalk for a full minute, staring up at it, my stomach twisting with nerves.

This is it. This job could change everything.

A stable income, and a way out of that hotel room to a proper resident. All the proof I’ll need to win

Jake’s custody.

The lobby is intimidating-marble floors, modern art on the walls, people in expensive suits moving with purpose. I feel underdressed despite my best efforts.

“Sabrina Moore?” A woman in her thirties approaches me as soon as I sit, her smile warm. “I’m Jennifer Maxwell, head of HR. Thanks for coming on such short notice.”

“Thank you for the opportunity.”

She leads me to a conference room on the fifteenth floor. Two other people are already there-a man around fifty and a younger woman with sharp eyes.

“This is David Westfield, our VP of Marketing, and Sarah Kim, senior creative lead. They’ll be conducting the interview.”

My palms are sweating. I wipe them discreetly on my skirt as I sit down.

“So, Sabrina.” David leans back in his chair. “Tell us about yourself.”

I take a breath and launch into the spiel I’ve been practicing. My experience at Sterling & Co. My campaign successes. My approach to creative direction.

I don’t mention that half those campaigns were credited to my ex-husband. I don’t mention that I was fired by his mistress. I don’t mention that I’m currently homeless and fighting for custody of

my son.

All those are information that will discredit me. And right now?

I need to make a good impression.

Walk us through your process for the Luminance campaign,” Sarah says, pulling up something on her tablet. “The rebrand that won three industry awards.”

My heart rate picks up. That was Dustin’s biggest success. The one that got him promoted to

director.

It was also entirely my concept.

“The challenge was repositioning a luxury skincare brand for a younger demographic without

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alienating existing customers.” I’m on solid ground here. “I started by analyzing their current customer base and identifying overlapping values between generations. The campaign focused

on timeless beauty rather than anti-aging, which resonated across age groups.”

“Interesting.” David makes a note. “Because the final presentation credited Dustin Reed as lead

creative. But you’re saying this was your work?”

So the question was a trap, just like I expected.

“I was the lead creative. Dustin was the marketing director who presented it. It was a collaborative effort, but the concept and execution were mine.”

Sarah and David exchange a glance.

“We’ve actually done our research,” Sarah says. “We pulled internal emails from Sterling & Co.- public record after their recent scandal. The initial concept documents have your digital signature The drafts are in your handwriting. Dustin Reed didn’t contribute to the creative until the final presentation stage.”

My mouth goes dry. “You-you looked into that?”

That…I did not expect.

“We do our own investigation into all our candidates.” David’s expression is unreadable. “Especially when there are discrepancies in credited work. It seems you’ve been carrying Dustin Reed’s career for quite some time.”

I don’t know what to say.

Though I vowed to take back everything Dustin owes me, I know this isn’t the right time. I’m just glad I didn’t lie.

“Yes,” I say simply. “I have been.”

“Well, that stops now.” Sarah smiles. “If you work here, your name goes on your work. No exceptions.”

The interview continues for another forty minutes. They ask about my leadership style, my experience managing teams, how I handle creative disagreements. I answer honestly, feeling more confident with each question.

This is who I am. This is what I’m good at.

Finally, Jennifer stands. “Thank you for your time, Sabrina. We’ll be in touch soon.”

“How soon?”

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