Shadows of deceipt

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