Chapter 10

Those long days at New York Presbyterian gave me the one thing I desperately needed: clarity.

Funny how a brush with death puts everything in perspective. All those things that seemed earth shattering before? Now they felt like paper cuts compared to the simple gift of breathing

Before the crash, I was that typical Upper East Side wife oversensitive, anxious, perpetually seeking validation. When faced with betrayal, I’d been paralyzed by pain and doubt, too terrified to even acknowledge what was staring me in the face. Classic Emma Pierce, always overthinking, never acting

But nearly dying? That has a way of rearranging your priorities.

I understood something fundamental now: nothing – absolutely nothing–matters more than living authentically. Not your Architectural Digest worthy penthouse, not your carefully curated image, not even the man you thought would love you forever.

Living.

Really living.

existing in some gilded cage on Park Avenue.

means facing betrayal and deception – even

agreement wasn’t some emotional decision. While Nathan was playing house in Greenwich, I had Sullivan & Cromwell draft an ironclad document. Mom’s initial angel investment in Pierce & Associates – that crucial 30% stake she insisted on – turned out to be my salvation.

several

it all. Even the Cartier Love

their manufactured drama. I’d watched enough Upper East Side marriages dissolve

I’d already had her old team from Manhattan Maintenance prep the place after meeting with

night, wrapped in Mom’s old Frette sheets, I whispered into the

You survived. You’re whole

06:48

of Love, Seven Minutes

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