o the fabrics she touched, the designs she corrected, and the slow-growing baby inside her. With each passing day, she managed

thoughts. His quiet kindness. His watchful eye. He made her feel seen in ways she hadn't felt in years. But even m

g herself. She couldn't afford to entertain those though

able full of fabric samples. The event was only a few days away, and her role in it was becoming clearer

than usual. "Mr. Khan wants you to come by his off

a little thrown

mportant. Co

ore than enough on their plate with the clothing line. A part of Shaeema wondered if this meant he was about to tel

few fabric samples laid out in front of him. He didn't look up as she e

ng. "The gala is important. You'll be representing th

urse, Mr. Khan. But-why me? I'm not

nable line," Fahad said, looking up. "You've earned yo

a background player in the grand scheme of things. She was just someone trying to surv

ng a set of fabric samples toward her. "These are all lightwe

ples, each one soft, elegant, and refi

ll need something that stands ou

of wearing something designed by Fahad, somet

Mr. Khan.

ile curling his lips. "We'l

d in with a quick update on the preparations for the event. Fahad

ght in her chest. This was more than she ha

She needed to keep herself grounded. The excitement, the recognition

mirror, wondering what the future would hold. She had spent so lon

a small, almost imperceptible flutter moving beneath her fingers. It

d with a messag

morrow. Make sure you're ready. Mr

way, and everything seemed to be happening too quickly. She wasn't sure

she was. To prove to herself that she was worthy of more tha

d her into a private dressing room. Shaeema's heart raced as she stood in front of the full-length mir

esence filled the room. He stood silently, his

s on you," he said, hi

s eyes on her. It was unnerving, but she held herse

ahad's gaze swept over her. He didn't speak

finally, his tone slig

the flush that crept u

. But you need to stand tall. Don'

t too much to bear. But there was something in his gaze, something

ng. Especially when it came

to shake off the feeling that had settled in her chest. She was not here to en

onder if her heart was starting to soften. Was she reall

night ahead. Only the gala that woul

n: Could she really keep her