equin. The fabric shimmered in the soft morning light that poured through the arched windows, bathing the space in warmth and possibility. The bo

alling effortlessly over her shoulders. A delicate gold pin-Élan's emblem, a stitched feather-re

world ha

race. She designed both women's and men's lines now-sleek tuxedo jackets, crisp mandarin-collare

Parsons who called her boss with admiration. Her name, once lost behind Steven Ross's, was now etc

didn't silen

ed at her-tenderly, since

ub

inn. People aren't always who they seem. Helen had never asked Sebastian. She feared wha

with a handwritten note. He often watched her work, quietly fascinated by her sketches. He list

e Helen was buildi

a charcoal wool coat over a deep navy sweater that hugged his broad frame. His greying stubble made him

a box-flat,

hought of you,"

ather, delicate and hand-crafte

was beautiful. Tho

ut it didn't

owly, "why didn't you ev

t the room i

lightly-not with guilt, but

nts. And someone else-Jennifer, I think

for a long time.

It ended badly. She accused me of fraud when she lost money she gambled away herself. Th

at him, heart

Ber

r I left my family's firm. I was angry, reckless

y-but her heart

ispered. "But I'm scare

r. "Then let me help yo

d, the world slowed. But the wound Steven left still pulsed

me," Helen

ed. "I'm not g

n his eyes said h

-

d undone power. His once-bustling office was now filled with empty desks and growing tension. Investors

ctly when the u

Helen

disarmed enemies with her grace, spotted the false promises his executives missed.

d as she discussed Élan's second store opening. Her voice-measured, calm, proud-

not

er

e no longer checked for Valerie's texts. Her na

drink, staring at the

more than I deser

walls of his empire, H

-

tering skyline. Once, this view had inspired Steven Ross-his domain spread beneat

he wore looked rumpled, his tie abandoned, shirt collar open. His once-sharp features had begun to sink-eyes red-rimme

s, electronics and other things that shipped to other

customers to pull out, Trusted partners pulled out. A scandal involving misappropriated funds-minor, but en

fool. He knew wh

d the day Hel

rs, softened the sharpness in his speeches, and foresaw the consequences of his pride. Without her

d, burying his f

bitter-slipped

n... what

tch, encouraging him with coffee and calm words. How she smiled even when he forgot anniversarie

y for a younger woman who n

ame in his contacts for what felt li

you. Everything's falling apart here. And I can't stop thinking about how much of me-of thi

e blinking curs

didn't deserve it. I just... wish I c

efore he coul

was marked

reply

screen until it b

-

lls, mood boards, and a quiet ache in her chest she couldn't name. She had seen the

hollow now. Still,

s the silence growing b

t-not cold, but watchful, as though bracing for heartbreak. And Helen, torn between logic and fear,

her like perfume s

fer wasn'

unseen but ever-present, like a

cal fashion blog. A blurred photo of Sebastian with Celeste

ery Man Tied to Fr

nfirmed. But suggestive e

ys later-sent anony

icle. The poisoned

he screen, her

e made anot

nt of hesitation

and ruin, had no idea that his attempt to win Hele