Veronica Lodge stood on the balcony of her high-rise apartment, the city of New York stretched out before her, gleaming under the evening lights. She'd always thought that the city would be her kingdom—a place where she could build her empire and leave behind all the baggage of Riverdale. But tonight, as she looked out at the skyline, she felt something she hadn't expected—freedom. Not the triumphant kind she had always envisioned, but a quiet, newfound freedom that came with letting go.

The lyrics from Taylor Swift's "happiness" echoed in her mind: "There'll be happiness after you, but there was happiness because of you too." Veronica had always believed that the only way forward was to cut ties with the past. But lately, she'd realized that true happiness wasn't about pretending that everything was perfect. It was about embracing the mess, the mistakes, and the lessons that came with it.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her thoughts. She glanced down to see a message from Betty Cooper.

Betty: "How's the city treating you, V?"

Veronica smiled softly, her fingers flying across the screen as she typed a reply.

Veronica: "It's… different. But in a good way. I'm finally starting to feel like myself again."

Betty's response was instant.

Betty: "I'm glad. You deserve to find your happiness, V."

Veronica's smile widened as she leaned against the railing, breathing in the crisp night air. Riverdale felt like a lifetime ago, even though it had only been a few months since she'd left. She had needed to get away from the drama, the heartbreak, and the constant pressure to be something she wasn't.

And, of course, she had needed space from Archie. The ending of their relationship had been messy, filled with arguments, misunderstandings, and shattered dreams. She had loved him deeply, but they had grown apart. It was only after the breakup that she'd realized how much she had been holding onto something that wasn't meant to last. Archie had been a part of her past—an important part—but he wasn't her future.

The city lights flickered below her, and Veronica turned, walking back into her apartment. It was sleek, modern, and everything she had always dreamed of. But despite the luxury, the silence inside sometimes felt overwhelming.

She grabbed her coat and bag, deciding that what she needed was to get out. The city was alive, and so was she. No more dwelling on the past.


Veronica found herself at The Blue Room, a chic bar she had discovered a few weeks ago, nestled in a quieter part of the city. It was stylish but relaxed, the kind of place where she could let her guard down. The bartender, Max, greeted her with a nod as she slid onto a stool.

"Veronica," Max said with a grin, "back for more of my signature cocktails?"

Veronica chuckled, brushing her hair over her shoulder. "You know me well, Max. I could use something strong tonight."

Max raised an eyebrow. "Rough day?"

Veronica shrugged, a small smile playing on her lips. "More like a reflective one. But nothing a good drink can't fix."

As Max mixed her drink, Veronica glanced around the bar, her eyes landing on a familiar face at the far end of the room. Reggie Mantle. Of course. He had moved to New York for business shortly after she did, and their paths had crossed more times than she'd expected. Reggie had always been part of her Riverdale life, and seeing him here felt like a strange collision of past and present.

Reggie spotted her, raising his glass in a mock salute before sauntering over. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the Queen of New York."

Veronica rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of amusement in her voice. "And here I thought I could escape my old life for just one night."

Reggie grinned, taking the stool next to her. "You should know by now, V, that you can't escape the Riverdale crowd. We're everywhere."

Max slid Veronica's drink across the bar, and she took a sip, savoring the burn of the alcohol. "So, what brings you here tonight, Reg? Business? Pleasure?"

"A little bit of both," Reggie replied, his smile widening. "But mostly, I just couldn't resist the chance to annoy you."

Veronica smirked, shaking her head. "You haven't changed."

"Neither have you," Reggie shot back, though his tone was more serious now. "Still sharp, still fierce."

Veronica took another sip, her smile fading slightly. "I've changed, Reggie. Maybe more than you know."

Reggie leaned back, studying her with a curious expression. "Yeah? How so?"

Veronica glanced down at her drink, swirling the liquid in the glass. "I used to think that happiness was something I had to chase. Something I had to earn by being the best, by building an empire. But now…" She trailed off, her voice softer. "Now, I think happiness is something that comes when you stop trying so hard. When you let go of what's not working and make room for something better."

Reggie raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Sounds like you've had some kind of epiphany."

Veronica laughed softly, setting her glass down. "Maybe. Or maybe I'm just learning to live in the moment."

Reggie tilted his head, his smile returning. "Well, whatever it is, I like it. You seem… lighter."

Veronica glanced at him, her expression thoughtful. "You know, Reggie, I think you're right."

The two of them fell into an easy conversation, reminiscing about old times and laughing about the chaos of their shared history in Riverdale. It felt good, reconnecting with someone who understood where she came from but wasn't tied to the same burdens. With Reggie, she didn't have to pretend to be perfect. She could just be Veronica.


Later that night, as they stepped out of the bar and into the cool New York air, Reggie turned to her, his hands shoved into his pockets. "So, what's next for Veronica Lodge? World domination?"

Veronica smirked, her heels clicking against the pavement as they walked. "Oh, you know me. Always plotting."

Reggie chuckled, but then his expression grew more serious. "For real, though. You seem like you've finally found your groove here."

Veronica nodded, her gaze drifting to the skyline. "I think I have. For a while, I felt lost—like I was running from something. But now, I feel like I'm running toward something. Something good."

Reggie grinned. "That's what I like to hear. You deserve that, V."

Veronica smiled at him, a warm feeling spreading through her. "Thanks, Reggie. That means a lot."

They walked in comfortable silence for a few moments, the city buzzing around them. Veronica had always been drawn to the energy of New York—the possibilities, the constant movement. But for the first time, she wasn't chasing anything. She was content with where she was.

As they reached the corner where they would go their separate ways, Reggie paused, looking at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "So, dinner tomorrow? Or are you too busy being the queen of the city?"

Veronica laughed, shaking her head. "I think I can pencil you in, Mantle."

Reggie grinned. "Good. I'll hold you to it."

With that, they parted ways, and Veronica walked the rest of the way back to her apartment, her heart feeling lighter than it had in months. The city lights glimmered around her, and for the first time, she felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be.

As she stepped into her apartment, kicking off her heels and sinking onto the couch, Veronica let out a deep breath. The lyrics from "happiness" played softly in her mind: "There'll be happiness after me, but there was happiness because of me too." She wasn't running from the past anymore. She had made peace with it—her mistakes, her heartbreaks, all the things that had once weighed her down.

And as she lay back, closing her eyes and listening to the city outside, she smiled to herself.

This was happiness.

Not the kind she had chased or fought for, but the kind she had found by letting go.