Chapter 5 - Above the Clouds
Two hours later, the twin Rolls-Royce engines of the Gulfstream G650 spooled up with a smooth, authoritative roar, vibrating through the pristine white leather cabin as we taxied away from the terminal.
This time, there was no audience. No board members whispering behind my back. No parasitic relatives filming my humiliation for social media. No cheating husband trying to banish me to commercial economy while his mistress sat in my seat.
There was only the quiet hum of advanced aerodynamics, the panoramic view of the Atlantic coastline stretching out beneath us through the crystal-clear windows, and the absolute, unshakeable freedom of knowing that every single inch of this aircraft—and the sky it sailed through—belonged entirely to me.
I settled back into the forward-facing cream leather seat, slipping my feet into my monogrammed velvet slippers. I wrapped my custom Milanese cashmere blanket around my shoulders, feeling the deep, soothing warmth seep into my bones.
On the mahogany side table, my phone sat completely silent, its screen dark and undisturbed.
Daniel walked forward from the flight deck, pausing respectfully by the bulkhead. "We're cruising at forty-one thousand feet, Mrs. Whitaker. Weather ahead is clear all the way to Portland."
"Thank you, Daniel," I said, offering him a warm, genuine smile. "Set autopilot for home."
"Yes, ma'am."
As Daniel retreated to the cockpit, I turned my head to look out the window at the blinding expanse of golden sunlight breaking through the storm clouds above. The horizon stretched out endlessly, vast and unbroken, waiting for whatever I chose to build next.
May you like
Let the world keep its fragile men and their fragile egos. I had my name, my fortune, my family's legacy, and an infinite horizon.
And for the first time in my life, I was flying entirely on my own terms.
