e of Elan, buzzed with creativity and stress in equal measure. It had only been a month since she joined as an assistant to the as

her scarf, brushing down her modest outfit, and whispering

belly. It was still flat, but the nausea, the cravings, and the quiet flutter insi

er decision. She wouldn't tell Michael. He had Sophia now. A baby with her. H

im lingered like smoke

from the door of the small

ding with a coffee in hand. The woman was sharp, efficie

s to see you i

blinke

. Don't keep t

own for his demanding standards and flawless designs. He barely spoke t

utive suite was a world apart from the sewing floor. Sleek, modern

cting you.

for a second,

t, his back to her, arms crossed. He turned slowly, his dark eyes settling

aeema Idri

replied, keeping

orked on the hem corrections for th

es

attern the senior designer m

me in tailoring during university. I'v

there was something clos

ine we're introducing. Just someone to assist with mat

urprise. This was a big de

olutely.

to me on this project. I value efficien

ling. The promotion-or rather, the opportunity-felt

it on. The place was small, a little run-down, but it was hers. A small sanctuary. She dropped

buzzed wit

ob today. You ma

, her hand moving

little one? We

strict but fair. He rarely spoke beyond work matters, but when he did, there was always depth behind his

self," he'd said. "Take

he whispered,

gently this time. "This compa

His voice softened when addressing her. He started asking if she'd eaten.

from the betrayal she had left behind. Her nights were fille

k, her hand instinctively curved around her be

nancy?" the

ma no

e. But you look like someone wh

oat tig

picking up glass shards with her bare hands. But so

t

r baby coun

ahad slowly, unknowingly