Harvey could not fall into a deep sleep at night. Whenever he closed his eyes, dark thoughts swirled in his mind, driving him into the grip of insomnia. The cold and silent atmosphere of the hotel room at midnight seemed to suffocate him even more. The ticking of the clock was increasing the weight of each passing second. He pulled the duvet over him, but this was only a physical reaction; the restlessness in his soul offered him no comfort.

When the clock struck two, Harvey could no longer take his eyes off the ceiling. The dark ceiling seemed as if it were about to collapse in on him. His mind was like a vortex that wouldn't stop. "What if I lose?" he thought, his heart suddenly racing. A knot had formed in his throat, he was having difficulty breathing. He sat up in bed, ran his hands through his hair and tried to take a deep breath, but this only increased his tension. He looked at Paula sleeping next to him, she seemed to be sleeping peacefully. Harvey wanted to take her medication and have a moment of uninterrupted sleep. He took a deep breath. He had to win. Not just for the election, but for his life, which had become a web of lies. If he lost, everything could fall apart.

Panic gripped his thoughts. He replayed in his mind the steps he had taken during the election campaign. He visualised every speech, every discussion, every handshake. What if he had made a mistake somewhere? A gaffe, a faulty sentence... Could people have seen it, felt it and abandoned him? This fear was gnawing at him. No matter how many supporters he had, one mistake could destroy everything.

"Maybe I wasn't good enough," he thought to hisself, his lips trembling slightly. "Maybe they deserve better than me. Maybe I... just made a mistake."

These thoughts flowed through his mind like poison. He felt trapped in a cage from which he could not escape. He didn't know what would happen if he didn't win. But worse, he didn't know what he would do even if he won. The last time he remembered himself he was in law school, now he was in a hotel room, a candidate for president in tomorrow's election, maybe tomorrow he would be president of the country, he had a wife, but she was Paula. Who was Harvey? Was it Harvey? When was the last time he felt like Harvey? With Donna.

When he touched her, spent time with her, looked into her eyes, felt her scent, kissed her, held her hands. And now, he and Donna had broken up. Donna broke up with him. Harvey couldn't even remember why she broken up with him now, this relationship was ending my them.

Donna's face suddenly appeared in his mind in the midst of his gloomy thoughts. She was the only calm harbour in this chaos. With her face, her voice, her smile, she offered him the peace he could not find in real life. But this also brought up another question in Harvey's mind: If he won, could he maintain this dangerous relationship with Donna? Or could the past be learnt? The possibility of exposure was perhaps the real fear of winning. To be both a winning president and the centre of a scandal... How could the two stand side by side?

His eyes shifted slightly to the mirror at the other end of the darkened room. He could not see his reflection in the mirror, only a dark and shapeless image. But it reminded him of himself: The man in the mirror had got nowhere with his election promises or his words of leadership. He was a hollow, emotionless man. The forbidden affair with Donna had been an escape for him. But how long could this escape last? Even Donna might one day realise just how deep a hole he was in.

As 4 o'clock approached, Harvey felt there was no point in lying in bed any longer. He slowly sat up, got out of bed quietly, and walked slowly to the bathroom so as not to disturb his wife's sleep. As he closed the door, he saw his reflection in the mirror. His face was sunken with the fatigue of months of campaigning. The dark circles under his eyes bore the scars of sleepless nights.

Harvey rested his hands on the edge of the sink and stared at his reflection in the mirror for a moment.

"What have I become?" he thought to himself. He used to be so strong, so determined. But now, at the end of this process, he had become a man who doubted even himself. The questions echoing in his mind gave him no peace. Even if only for a moment, he wanted to get rid of the burden of everything.

He took his hands to his face, grabbed cold water and hit his face. But this cold was not enough to extinguish the fire inside him. At that moment, he felt like he couldn't breathe. The panic that had accumulated inside him couldn't wait to come out. The pressure in his chest was increasing, as if breathing was getting more and more difficult every minute. He put his hands on the edge of the sink again and tried to breathe deeply.

"I can do this," he said to himself, his voice weak but determined. He had no other choice. Today it would all be over. Either he would win, or he would be lost forever. This thought hung in Harvey's mind. For a moment he stared hard at his reflection in the mirror. This morning, he would wake up with a fake courage. Even if it was fake, he had to wear this mask until he won.

As the first rays of morning light began to appear on the horizon, Harvey's uneasiness continued to grow. The approach of the election only deepened his panic attacks. No matter what he did, his relationships with Donna and Paula both stood in his way. But the real obstacle was hidden in Harvey's own mind.

That morning, as Harvey looked in the mirror, he confronted his own fears. Fear of failure, fear of dishonesty, and perhaps deep down, self-hatred. If he won, would everything be all right? Or would these dark thoughts stay with him?

As the clock ticked, Harvey went back to bed. Paula was still asleep, but Harvey's mind was like a battlefield. He hadn't had a moment's peace all night long. But this battle would not end with the rising of the morning sun. It would continue in his mind for a long time to come, and Harvey wasn't sure if he could win that battle.

At that moment Paula's voice was heard stirring beside him.

"Harvey?" Her voice was soft and sleepy, but anxious at the same time.

"Yes, I'm here," Harvey whispered. He turned towards the edge of the bed and saw the concern in Paula's eyes. He had seen that look before.

Paula turned her head slowly towards him, but said nothing. She knew from the look on his face, as she did every morning, that Harvey was in another world at that moment.

Even though Harvey's eyes were on his wife, his mind was still on Donna. Donna's touch, her smile, made everything more vivid. There had been nothing emotionally between him and Paula for a long time, and this morning was no different. Harvey's heart was empty for Paula.

Paula approached him gently, putting her hand on Harvey's arm. "Couldn't sleep?" she asked. There was a look of concern in her eyes, but Harvey ignored it. Even answering that question seemed like a waste of time.

"I couldn't sleep," he said simply.

He had no intention of voicing the storm raging inside him. The thought of Donna had made him even more distant from his wife, as he always did. Paula must have sensed the distance between them, but it had never been spoken openly. The silence was like a thin thread holding them together; if it broke, everything would fall apart. But Harvey didn't care about this thin.

Paula made a move as if to get closer to him.

"Today is a big day. Maybe you should have slept a little more, rested a little more," she said. The concern in her voice was evident, but Harvey didn't share it in any way.

Harvey's mind was on Donna, he hadn't spoken to her in a while, he needed her today, he felt it in his heart. A brief smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he thought of Donna.

Paula must have noticed it, for she frowned slightly. "What do you think?"

Harvey turned his head to look at her. "Nothing," he said in a cold voice. "I'm just thinking about how the day is going to go."

Paula had grown accustomed to Harvey's aloof demeanour, but she still seemed worried about him.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" she asked. Her voice was gentle, perhaps loving, but for both of them the words had long since lost their meaning, or perhaps had never made sense at all.

"No," he said, short and clear, "I need to get ready. A lot is going to happen today."

His answer closed like a door, preventing Paula from saying any more.

As he headed for the bathroom door again, he felt Paula watching him with her eyes, but he didn't try to decipher the meaning in them. He didn't care.

Paula was still sitting on the edge of the bed when he came out of the bathroom. Silently accompanying Harvey through his morning routine. No words passed between them. The few minutes of silence seemed to weigh down the air in the room. Finally, Paula looked at Harvey, almost sadly,

"Whatever happens for you today, I'm here for you," he said.

Harvey paused. Those words meant a great deal, but at that moment they seemed to Harvey only an empty echo.

He turned to her and nodded slightly. "I know," he said, but the coldness had never gone from his voice.

The words carried an insincere, almost forced gentleness. At that moment he realised once again that Paula's love for him was not mutual at all. He thought of Donna, her presence drowned out all the confusion in his mind.

He changed his clothes and started buttoning his shirt.

"Today everything will be over," he whispers to himself. "Today everything will change."

"Dad will be up soon, he might even be awake," Paula said and she went into the bathroom this time.

Harvey began to pull on a black suit. His hands were shaking as he put on his tie. There was a hint of meticulousness in every movement as he straightened the tie, but more than meticulousness, it reflected the tension inside him. Each step, each button-closing gesture was like a greater burden than the election day itself.

After straightening his tie for the last time, he paused for a moment. Then he realised that Paula had tensed slightly and was looking across the room with her eyes closed. It was a sign of a silent disagreement between the two of them, perhaps the distance of time. But Harvey was too deeply in the dark to look for guilt or remorse in this silence.

But Paula's face was pale, there was a look of shock in her eyes, and Harvey couldn't help but wonder what had happened.

"Are you all right? Did you see a ghost?"

Paula rolled her eyes.

"You don't have to be so rude, try being polite."

Harvey cursed inwardly, he didn't feel like fighting this morning.

"I was just asking a goddamn question, Paula, your face looked pale."

"Stress. I threw up a little." she said as she closed the door, following Harvey with her eyes. She took a deep breath to suppress the boredom inside her and slowly directed her steps towards Harvey's side. However, each of her steps was like a symbol of the distance between them.

When Harvey realised that Paula was walking towards him, he paused for a moment in the corner of the room. The pallor and agitation on Paula's face shone right next to Harvey's cold gaze. Paula was in a position to approach Harvey and perhaps try to explain herself.

"Take your medication, maybe you should get some rest. It's going to be a busy day, you need to be careful. " His words sounded like an obligation, not an advice.

At that moment, the silence in the room made the distance between them even more pronounced. Paula's eyes expressed her heartbreak at Harvey's behaviour without saying a word. But it was not enough to illuminate the darkness inside Harvey.

After a while they were both ready, room service had brought breakfast, they settled down at the table and calmly ate their breakfast for the last time before the stressful day.

Silence reigned around the table; the lack of conversation deepened the distance between the two people. He held a cup of coffee in his hand and sipped it, trying to relieve the tiredness and worries of the morning.

For the rest of the breakfast, both of them were busy with their inner thoughts. The election calculations and strategies in Harvey's mind were getting more intense with every bite and every sip. In Paula's eyes, however, there was a feeling of tiredness and loneliness.

Paula was sitting across the table, tiredly eating breakfast. The silence next to Harvey made the atmosphere in the room even colder. Each bite and each sip helped Harvey to focus his thoughts on the plans for the day.

As he buttered a slice of bread, he let his eyes linger on Paula. His voice was cold and distant, like an order, "We'll have a final meeting with the campaign team in the morning. After that, we'll move on to the polling station, where we'll need to make a few speeches."

Paula listened to Harvey's speech as she took a spoonful of yoghurt. The fatigue on her face reflected her indifference to Harvey's plans. Harvey's detailed plans, like the cold air in the room, left a distance behind every word.

"We'll also need to meet with investors and backers," Harvey continued, placing his coffee cup on the table.

Paula nodded slightly, but there was no look of approval or support in her eyes. "Okay," she said, her voice almost an inaudible whisper. Harvey's every sentence had no resonance in his wife's inner world; everything seemed to be just a task.

After the last morsels were finished at the table, they both finished their preparations. Harvey stood in front of the mirror again and looked at himself. He looked ready, although he didn't feel ready. But he was already playing his part.

He was going to do it.

He was going to win.

He was Harvey Specter.

It was his job to win.

𓃭

In America, presidential candidates often try to project an image of strong family ties. To maintain this image, Harvey made sure that he and his wife were together in photographs. After breakfast, the press was ushered into the hotel lobby for a brief photo session, and images of Harvey, Paula and Otis walking out began to circulate through the media channels.

When Harvey arrives at the campaign headquarters, the atmosphere inside is busy and bustling. Team members had been making last-minute preparations since the early hours of the morning, campaign materials were being organised and media teams were putting the finishing touches. When Harvey and Otis entered the office, they immediately headed for the large meeting room where the team was ready. The meeting room was filled with team members gathered around a large table. On the walls were campaign posters, clipboards with strategy graphics, and whiteboards.

Harvey crossed to the front of the room, sat at the head of the table and signalled for the meeting to begin. Paula sat in a corner of the room; her presence represented a critical moment when Harvey would review all plans and strategies.

The latest poll results, updates from critical states and reports on voter turnout are scattered across the table. As words like "Florida voter turnout is high, Ohio is uncertain, rural Pennsylvania voters are going to the polls..." echo through the air, Harvey's mind quickly tries to process the data.

In the first phase of the meeting, the campaign director took the floor and began to summarise the details of the day.

"At 11:00 a.m. today, we have our final interviews with the media," he said. "We need to be ready for the press conference and Mr Specter's speech is extremely important. Our messages need to be clear and effective."

"Short interviews with supporters are planned before we move to the polling station," the strategy director continued. "Each supporter will be interviewed one-on-one for a set period of time. We also reviewed the last minute organisations that will take place at the polling station."

The operations team described the final preparations of the day. "Throughout the day, supporter lists and organisational arrangements will be strictly monitored. We also have contingency plans in place for any disruptions at the polling centre."

As a result, everyone in the meeting room began to return to their respective tasks. Harvey, Otis and Paula took a short break after the meeting and left the meeting room to make final preparations. All of these details were meticulously planned and co-ordinated so that Harvey could successfully move forward later in the day. This critical meeting over breakfast played a major role in Harvey's journey as one of the cornerstones of election day success.

𓃭

All the while, Donna was on her way to her agent's office. They were going to talk about a new scenario.

Her agent, Arnold, the grandson of an old Hollywood legend, had the best insights into such projects. With years of experience, he knew which projects were really worthwhile and which were just passing fads. The office of Donna's manager was a cosy and intimate setting in a historic building in a quiet neighbourhood away from the bustle of the city.

Donna opened the office door to find Arnold sitting at his desk in an old leather armchair. Arnold looked up over his spectacles,

"Welcome, Donna, always a pleasure to see you, no further ado, I assume you've read the script, do you like it? This time it looks like you've got a door key in your hand." Arnold had always been a realist. Donna smiled.

"I think that door key is part of a somewhat complicated lock," Donna said back and continued.

"Yes, I found it very interesting."

Arnold sipped his coffee, cleaned his glasses and they began to discuss the details of the scenario.

"Or will it bring a storm when the door opens? If you have questions, we'll turn this morning into night, as always. Working without your questions is like being on a film set without an actor."

"Ah, Arnold, how kindly you put it," Donna replied mockingly, "Now, can you tell me more about the character's background? I have some gaps in my mind and I can't make a decision until I fill them in."

"Of course," Arnold said, picking up his coffee cup. "This character is not an ordinary person. She has a strong background, many mysteries. In fact, the term 'depth of character' was invented for her. But of course, this is only a metaphor. Victoria Maiden, that's the character's name, I think it would suit you."

Donna nodded and leaned forward.

"But I really don't find this character as interesting as you've introduced her to me. What about the other characters in the script? Are they just as unusual?"

"Yes, the other characters are quite colourful," Arnold said. "In fact, one of them is interesting enough to almost rival you. But remember, the real struggle in this project is with your own inner conflicts."

Donna was still unconvinced, unsure about this character.

"What about the production?" she asked. "Who is the director, who are the producers? What kind of budget does the project have?"

Arnold, frowning, said, "The director is a successful, talented name. However, there may be a few problems with the other producers. So I may have to do a few more rounds with them before I sign you."

"Are you testing me?" Donna said, "Or are you just gauging my commitment to my work? You're gonna have to convince me somehow."

"Convince?" said Arnold, "Donna, this is your chance. The more enthusiastic you are about the script and the project, the better your chances of success. So it's in your best interest to see what's going on behind closed doors right now."

Donna took a deep breath, there was something about this project that was pushing her back but she still didn't know what it was, maybe it was a sixth sense, or something else...

"I need more information to see if this project is right for me. It's not just a 'character test', it's a judgement about how this project will affect my career."

"Absolutely," Arnold said, "And as you learn more about the script and the character, that decision will become clearer. Now, there are a few steps left to guide you. This could become a cinematic voyage of discovery."

Donna nodded thoughtfully. "Okay, Arnold. I know what I need to do before I go to the interview, but I definitely need to know more about this script. We may need to have a meeting with the producers to get more information about the character's background and project details."

Arnold smiled "Of course, that's easy. But I think I'll end our meeting early today because there's an election, I'm voting, who are you voting for? Specter's got a big following, even though he's younger than the others."

Hearing Harvey's name was a knife in Donna's heart, she hadn't switched on the TV since they'd broken up to avoid seeing Harvey's face, she didn't watch the news and tried to ignore the posters on the street, she avoided political talk.

"I don't know, I've been busy, I haven't kept up. Anyway, I've got to go, don't forget to organise the meeting, I'll think about it in the meantime." Donna quickly left her office without waiting for Arnold to speak. Despite everything, she couldn't help missing Harvey.

𓃭

Meanwhile, in the world of politics, things were getting bigger and more chaotic.

The tension of election day was building, and Harvey realised that his father-in-law Otis' footsteps were firm and determined as he moved silently forward. The security guards opened the limousine doors and Harvey and Paula sat in the back seat. Otis sat opposite them, a stern expression on his face.

As the limousine drove silently through the city streets, the atmosphere inside grew heavy. The chaotic silence of election day was interrupted by the distant echo of sirens outside. As Harvey turned his head to the window and glanced out at the crowd outside, the cold, authoritative voice of his father-in-law suddenly filled the car.

"I hope you're sure everything's all right Harvey, it's been hard to recover from your last gossip," his father-in-law said, his tone menacing. "Today everything is in your hands. But if you take one wrong step, it won't just be the end of you, it will be the end of us all."

Harvey turned his head towards his father-in-law. Otis fixed his stern gaze directly on Harvey. In the man's eyes, there was not only the responsibility and expectation of a father for his son-in-law, but also years of ambition and ego. The voice of the man who had brought him to this point, who had been the driving force behind the campaign, sent a shiver through Harvey. Paula sat quietly, listening as always to her father's commands, feeling the tension between them.

"Everything is under control," Harvey said, trying to keep his voice calm. But underneath his words was a tension that was ready to explode. His father-in-law had always been in control, guiding Harvey every step of the way. And now, on election day, at the height of it all, his father-in-law was questioning him.

Otis squinted his eyes as he heard Harvey's answer. "Under control? I'm the reason you're even involved in this campaign, Harvey. I suggest you remember that. The future of America is in your hands, and you cannot afford to make a mistake." There was both a threat and a kind of cold reality in his words. His father-in-law wanted to remind him how his own success had shaped Harvey's future.

Harvey felt the weight on his shoulders but tried not to show any emotion on his face. "I know," he said coolly. "You've done a lot for this campaign, but I'm doing what I can, and I've contributed as much as you have. If I've made it this far, it's also because of me. I'm gonna win."

Otis met Harvey's words with a condescending smile. "We're going to win," he corrected and continued.

"You need to make sure you do your best, because we can't afford to lose this election. This is not just your presidency, this is our legacy. If you make the slightest mistake, it's all over for you. Then you'll have nothing left."

Despite Otis's harsh outburst, Harvey tried not to crumble under his threats and pressure. But the tension inside him weighed heavily on his shoulders. Every word of the man penetrated his soul like a knife. Otis's attitude of being in control of everything was putting Harvey in a corner. But he tried to appear calm on the outside.

Inside the limousine, there was a moment of silence. Paula still held her father as a silent and supportive figure. Looking at her father, she nodded her head in silent approval. Harvey felt caught between the two. Both the pressure from his father-in-law and his wife's constant loyalty to his father added to the burden on Harvey. Paula's talking about his father at every opportunity, and her glorification of his ego were increasing Harvey's discomfort. However, to reveal this now would only make the situation worse.

Otis turned to Harvey once more. "Remember, Harvey. This isn't just about you. I have a reputation, too. And if this election is lost, it's not just you, it's me. Keep that in mind." The threatening tone in his voice made the air in the limousine feel heavy.

Harvey took a deep breath. Despite Otis's threats, he was making a great effort not to lose control. "I realise that," he said slowly. "Everything's going to be all right today. We're going to win this."

Otis paused for a moment and took a deep breath and stepped back. The tension in his face eased, but the pressure in his eyes was still there. "We'll see," he said coldly. "Just make sure you don't make a mistake in this. It's not just your destiny, it's all of ours."

The pressure and threats echoed in Harvey's head as the limousine drove towards the city's polling station. It was election day and everything was in his hands. But his father-in-law was constantly forcing him to face the fear of making a mistake.

The media cameras were already there. Hundreds of lenses were out on the streets. "Could Harvey Specter be the man who will determine the future of America?" That question was the talk of the media. But Harvey had other questions on his mind.

The polling station was a stone building and the square in front of it was packed with supporters, journalists and security guards. In the crowd, Harvey's eyes were looking at him expectantly, hoping to see him. Some held placards saying "Vote Specter!" He greeted each of them briefly, shoved his hands in his pockets, and walked confidently. At the same time, he was making his own silent calculations in his mind: 'I've come this far, the last steps remain. If I win, how will my life change? Will I ever see Donna again?

At that moment, the calm but firm voice of his counsellor echoed in Harvey's ears.

"It's only a matter of time before you become president. You can't make any mistakes."

Harvey nodded his head slightly in agreement, but the storm raging inside him was not reflected on his face. He was almost frozen. When he stepped inside, before he went to the polls, he was surrounded by journalists. Microphones were handed out, flashes went off one after the other. Harvey stared at them for a while. This moment would go down in history. Millions of eyes were on him.

One journalist, ignoring the fatigue on Harvey's face, smiled and asked:

"Mr Specter, how are you feeling this morning? Do you think you're going to win the election?"

"I'm here this morning to hear the voice of America," he said, his gaze locked directly into the camera. "I believe in the future of this country. Every vote beats at the heart of this democracy, and that's why I'm here today. To create a better tomorrow for all of us. Whatever the outcome, I have full confidence in the American people. Today we will all be part of history together."

After finishing the last interview, his advisors kindly directed him inside. As he made his way to the voting booth, he began to feel the weight on his shoulders even more. He held the ballot paper with his fingertips. This small piece of paper, the symbol of American democracy, would determine the most powerful position in the world. At that moment, his hands trembled slightly. As he stood in the voting booth, marking his name on the ballot, Donna's face appeared in his mind for a moment. Her smile, her whispered words... For a moment he was in that thin line where all this noise, chaos, even history lost its meaning.

He threw the compass into the ballot box and went out. The flashbulbs went off once more. Moving his hands on the button of his jacket, he took a collective look around. Everything was done now. The rest of the day was a wait. Until the voting was over, in the tension, the votes would be counted and America's new leader would be chosen.

As Harvey left the polling station, the crowd was still around him. A few of his supporters approached him and asked for a photo. He shook a few hands and smiled briefly.

Hours later, the results would be announced. All this time, all this effort, all this sacrifice... It was all going to turn into victory or a big defeat.

In that moment, he realised that this wasn't just America's election. It was the most important moment of his own life. He would face his future and his past, both as a president and as a man.

𓃭

The ballroom of the JW Marriott Washington, D.C. was like no other that night. The ceiling of the ballroom sparkled with crystal chandeliers, and the lights fell to the floor like a cloud of golden dust. Everything was set to perfection; the tables were covered in white linen, with fine porcelain plates and gilded goblets. Giant screens were set up all around the hall, showing the election results from all over the country, second by second. The voting had turned into a drama watched with bated breath by millions, and this hall shone as the centre stage of that night.

Harvey stood in the back corner of the room, by the large window, looking out. The night of Washington had fallen over the city like a dark blanket, and the lights were slowly illuminating the streets. He had a glass in his hand, but he hadn't even touched the liquid in it. His fingers ran nervously along the rim of the glass, like thoughts running through his mind.

Whispers, laughter, champagne popping from all corners of the hall became a muffled hum in his mind. He knew he was on the brink of success or in the depths of defeat, but the uncertainty was destroying him. Everything was almost over, but he still had to wait. The eyes watching him, the sincere but cautious smiles of the supporters passing him by, made the pressure even heavier. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed a few of his counsellors. They were watching the results in the same way, receiving information with their phones in their hands.

In this small world glowing under the dark sky, it was both elegant and unnerving. Classical music played softly, women walked around in fancy dresses and men in impeccable suits. But there was a tension lurking beneath the splendour. The faces in the hall alternated between joy and anxiety, some with a glimmer of hope in their eyes, others with a deep uncertainty. Everyone was waiting to find out what the future would bring.

Harvey's family, Paula and Otis, were gathered round a table a little further away. They were both there to support him, but Harvey felt disconnected from them. Paula had a forced smile on her face as she talked to a group of friends at the next table. He couldn't remember the last time he had actually spoken to her. His heart was now beating in Donna's shadow, but tonight it was as distant and cold as reality. A question flashed through his mind: If he won, would this life be his? Or would he just hide behind a mask and drift into greater loneliness?

Harvey had added Donna's name to the guest list tonight without letting anyone know, he wanted her here. Even if they didn't speak, he wanted to make eye contact and take a deep breath. He wanted Donna to be there for him.

After the Florida results were announced, the ballroom of the JW Marriott Washington D.C. erupted like a volcano. Victory or defeat was now certain. But this quickly changed the atmosphere inside the ballroom, like a storm that never stopped blowing. When the results turned in his favour, the enthusiasm grew like a flame. People hugged each other, applause rang out, and a wave of wild joy swept through the hall. Harvey Specter had won. The crowd in the centre of the hall began to turn towards the stage to see him; everyone's eyes were waiting for the moment when the new president would take the stage.

But Harvey was still a stranger in the midst of this great victory. The magnitude of the triumph surrounded the people around him, not him. His eyes were fixed on the corners of the hall; champagne was bursting, flags were waving, people were intoxicated with the intoxication of a night of triumph. But he was the lone man in all this euphoria. For a moment he wondered why such a great victory weighed so heavily on him. His shoulders slumped slightly, and there was a tremulous smile on his lips, but it did not come from within.

Voices in the centre of the hall echoed, "Specter! Specter!" echoed through the centre of the hall. The crowd surged like a sea, waiting for him to take the stage.

One of his counsellors approached him and touched him lightly on the shoulder. "Mr Specter, everyone's waiting for you," he said. Harvey looked at him out of the corner of his eye and nodded his head slightly in agreement. It was time to take the stage, but his feet felt like they were carrying a heavy load. Time stood still and moments stretched out one by one.

Then his eyes met the one person he had wanted to see all day. Donna. Donna was here. She had come for Harvey. Harvey's heart skipped a beat. He took a deep breath.

He had won. Harvey Specter was now president of the United States.