Sabrina's days in Paris had blurred into one another, with classes, sketches, fabric swatches, and runway rehearsals consuming every waking moment. She was awakened each morning by early rising and deep breaths as the external city outside her window slowly came to life. She was not unaware of what she was up against—it was more than a career to which she was joining. This was her chance at building a future, for herself and for her unborn child.Despite the constant fatigue that came with being pregnant, Sabrina never lost her will to draw. Every design she made was a gesture of love — not only for the unborn baby but also for that which she would be crafting for the future. She learned to balance her dreams with her physical limitations, leaving her feeling exhausted yet pushing herself forward while still needing a lot of rest when necessary.There were days when the exhaustion threatened to consume her. She spent long hours sitting at her desk, going over and perfecting her design
Each passing day, Sabrina's reputation as a designer continued to grow. She threw herself into every project, creativity flowing through her with a fierceness that stunned her professors and peers alike. Her passion for fashion was undeniable, and with each passing week and growing baby bump, the fire inside her to create something that would make her and her child proud had grown just as fervently.There were moments when she couldn't handle it at all-when the countless hours spent in studio sessions and the burden of carrying a child became unbearable.. But every time, she'd think of what Leila said, of the promise she had made to herself and to her baby, and somehow, that's enough to keep her going.As time went by, Sabrina's designs started to stir the waters in the fashion world. Her name started to get whispered with other established names of the best up-and-coming designers in Paris. Rave reviews coupled with subsequent competition entry to make her more stable in the world of
Pregnant or not, Sabrina always joins her university's competitions. She never lets go of an opportunity to compete. Her hands lay gently on her baby bump under the soft lighting from her studio's single overhead lamp. Rain was drumming against the window in a soothing rhythm as she thought. In front of her lay a mannequin draped in the beginnings of her latest design - a gown which would be inspired by her journey. The fabric rippled like waves across the ocean she had crossed to start this new chapter in Paris. She smiled faintly, brushing her fingertips along the intricate stitching. "We did this," she murmured to her unborn child. "Every stitch, every sketch - it's for us." The baby responded with a soft flutter, and Sabrina laughed out in that quiet joy filling her. It was her sanctuary now, a place where creativity could breathe and dreams take shape. It's everything she wanted but never knew she needed-the simplicity, the focus of it-and yet, far removed from the life left beh
The next morning, she was awakened by the birds at the window chirping their melodies out into the air, spilling through the slats of blinds. Warm buttery smells of fresh-baked croissants drifted about the house, and a smile crossed her face. She stretched, yawned lazily, had the comfort of her bed, and then slid out to greet the day. Her dreams from last night lingered, filling her with a quiet determination.Wendy and Leila were already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. Wendy was always going to be that matriarch, coordinating the perfect spread, while Leila softly sang in the background, sorting out a vase of fresh flowers in the table center."Good morning, dear," Wendy said, eyes lighting up upon seeing Sabrina come into the room. "How are you feeling today? Does the little one let you sleep well?"Sabrina nodded, touching her belly. "We slept well, Grandma. Thanks."Leila turned, holding a plate of warm pastries. "Sit down, sweetie. You've been working so hard lately; you des
The gentle knock at the bedroom door extracted her from the reverie. In the doorway was "Wendy." Her warm heart immediately saw written on Sabrina's face all the storm and turmoil that had raged behind those bright eyes. She crossed the room without a word and held her granddaughter close."It's all right to feel sad, Sabrina," Wendy whispered softly, her voice calm and soothing. "You have been through so much, and only natural that you would want things to be different."Sabrina leaned into her grandmother's embrace, letting the tears she had been holding back stream freely. "I just. I thought he might change. That he'd realize how much he meant to me, to us."Wendy drew back a little, her hands reaching to cup Sabrina's face. "Some people only see what is right in front of them when it's too late, though. That's not something you get to carry around, my dear. You've already given so much of yourself. Now it's time to pay attention to you and that gorgeous baby."Sabrina nodded, wipi
Benedict sat in his sleek office, with papers all over the top of his desk, completely consumed by the stack of contracts in front of him. The phone buzzed once more, but he didn't answer. He had reached a point where all the business dealings, mergers, and partnerships had taken over his life. It had taken months, but finally his company was back on track. The bankruptcy was a distant memory, and now he had an empire flourishing with partnerships coming in and investors clamoring at the door.But as his business grew, something inside him changed. The hollow hollowness that had plagued him after Sabrina left had begun to recede into a dull ache, an ache that he learned to ignore. His world was centered on success - on his success - with little room for regret or thoughts of the past. That was all before the call came. He glanced at the screen of his phone and saw the name of his attorney. A strange, unfamiliar tightness spread across his chest. He hesitated, his fingers lingering
Teresa sat in the living room of her house in the quiet darkness of the evening, a glass of wine sitting untouched on the table before her. The soft ticking of the clock on the wall filled the only remaining silence in the room, but in her mind, there was no silence; she had just gotten off the phone with Benedict, and the finalized divorce news still weighed at the center of her heart.She loved Sabrina like her daughter. She had always seen in Sabrina all the warmth, kindness, and grace she had hoped for in a daughter-in-law. Now, it was all gone. Sabrina was taken out of their family, and with her, the future of that grandchild becomes worrisome.Teresa took the wine glass, but did not drink from it. She simply let her eyes lose themselves in the space inside the glass as if lost in a thought. Sabrina came from humble beginnings. Teresa knew that raising a child on her own, without the security of having Benedict, without the financial backing that protecting and advancing her fami
Sabrina was a thousand miles away from everything Benedict knew. For her, Paris was an refuge, a place of peace, of healing. The city had wrapped arms of surprise around her, and she had thrown herself into work, into a life for herself and her child.But despite all these new beginnings, there were still moments when loneliness crept in. The desire for the family she would have once wanted, for Benedict. She still loved him, despite everything. She couldn't help but return that love she had for him, no matter what. But the pain of betrayal, of simply being treated as an afterthought in their lives, was too deep to handle. Thus, she left.Now, as the due date approached, Sabrina started thinking about the future—not the one she had envision with Benedict, but one she was going to create on her own, for her child.Her baby deserved better than a broken home. Her baby deserved love, security, and a family, even if it wasn't the one she once hoped for.But as much as Sabrina wanted to sl
He nodded, acknowledging her view. "Okay, let it be short. We cannot lose much time. Now let us go back to project timelines and what needs to be done this week.""Yeah, I am on that now," Andrea replied, feeling much lighter. The tension between them had lightened up, and she was set to move forward with work.As they turned their attention to the project plans, he couldn't help but wonder whether keeping abreast of what was happening could indeed prove useful. It was a sensitive balance, but with Andrea's passion and knowledge, perhaps they could find a way to blend both worlds successfully.She stepped into Benedict's office, her heels clicking softly on the polished floor, poise as usual. She scanned the room, eyes finally settling on him with intent and focus.Benedict, still engrossed in his thoughts from the earlier conversation with Andrea, hadn't noticed her. He was bent over a heap of papers, his brow furrowed in concentration as he made some notes on a report. He tried to m
Benedict sat at the top of the headboard table, his attention was acut, keen as his staff presented their latest financial reports. He's fully immersed in the numbers, the figures, and the strategies. He does not have time for distractions and space for anything but the work that needs to be done.In the meantime, Andrea was quietly surfing on her phone under the table; she was one of the junior staff members. She had always been a fashion enthusiast, and today she could not resist checking the news—especially with the recent buzz about Sabrina Auburn. Andrea saw her name everywhere recently; from the launch of Sabrina Ultra bags to announcing her collaboration with Maison d'Étoiles. She was becoming a bright star in the fashion world, and Andrea was eager to know more about her.She didn't know the full backstory—she didn't even know that Sabrina was Benedict's ex-wife. To Andrea, Sabrina was just an inspiring designer who was making waves in a completely different world from the cor
We want them to see not only the products but the journey," Sabrina said during the brainstorming session. "Our designs reflect resilience, empowerment, and the beauty of individuality. Let's make that shine."Her words revitalized the team, and they spent their creativity on this project. When the day of the meeting finally approached, Sabrina was ready and confident to present her brand to the global world.Maison d'Étoiles headquarters was elegance itself, with its grand marble entrance, towering glass walls, and artful displays of their iconic designs. Sabrina walked in, dressed in a tailored white suit that exuded sophistication, her signature bag slung gracefully over her shoulder.The creative director, Margaux Laurent, a charismatic woman, greeted her warmly. "Ms. Auburn, it's so great to finally meet you. Your work has taken the world of fashion by storm."The pleasure's mine, Sabrina replied, smiling with an expression that seemed altogether sincere. "Maison d'Étoiles has al
Sabrina smiled her heart, feeling grateful for the gesture. "I would not have managed without you. You're always there for me even when I did not know which way to go ahead, Mom," she went on as tears welled into her eyes in gratitude. And through the years, she realized her mother and her grandmother Wendy never made a decision in the house without praying and then asking for support in such matters.That night, as she laid Saben in his crib, she sat down beside him for a moment, her heart overflowing with love. She looked at his tiny chest as it rose and fell with peaceful breaths, and calm washed over her. "We've come a long way, haven't we, little one my Saben?" she whispered softly, stroking his cheek.She was lost, drifting in the thoughts of the past—to Benedict, to the pain she had been through and the woman she was before. And she didn't feel any bitterness anymore. She felt clear, and whatever she had passed through brought her into this moment and into this life she had wi
She stood on the big stage, her heart beating in sync with the booming emcee voice throughout the hall. "And the winner of the Elite Fashion Design Competition of this year is… Sabrina Auburn!" The call echoed in the sophisticated auditorium, where it was then answered with an explosion of applause that almost rattled the chandeliers from the ceilings. Sabrina sat back for a split second, feeling the weight of the news. She stood up effortlessly, elegantly smiling, but her poise blazed much brighter than the chandeliers in the room. Her mother, Leila, grasped her grandmother Wendy's arm. Her tears streamed down her cheeks."She did it, Mom," Leila whispered with emotion. "She really did it." "I never doubted her," Wendy replied, her voice steady but her eyes brimming with pride. Sabrina walked towards the stage, her heart pounding with disbelief and triumph. Wearing one of her designs: a perfect harmony of power and femininity—a midnight-blue pantsuit with intricate embroidery, she mo
The night between Clara and Benedict had been chaos—a collision of unspoken emotions, raw tension, and fleeting vulnerability. Benedict had given in to it all—exhaustion, desire, and the appeal of Clara's charm. The haze cleared, though, revealing just another moment to him, releasing him from the suffocating pressures of his life.But for Clara, it was much, much more. She sat on the edge of the bed, her window lit with golden sunlight the next morning. Her lips still tingled from Benedict's kisses, and her skin still thrummed with the imprint of his touch. But as the passion receded, the ache in her heart grew and she missed him so bad.She wanted more—more than stolen moments, more than a night of fleeting intimacy. She wanted Benedict's attention, his affection, and above all, his love. She wanted to replace Sabrina.Benedict, on the other hand, treated the day as if nothing had occurred. His cold, calculating nature was back in place as he walked into the office with his mind alr
She looked up at him, licking her lips, and smiled. His eyes were still closed in concentration, so she stood and grabbed his hand, pulling him to where their bed awaited. Finally, finally, they had arrived. No guests, no neighbours, no stairs.They undressed each other in a hurry, and she lay down, spread her knees, and pulled her legs back. He licked and lapped at her with more passion than he had on the stairs; and he had more room between her thighs now that she was lying back, able to open herself up more fully so that he could make sure no millimetre of her pussy was neglected. She grasped his hands with her own as they clasped her ass, squeezing him, and then pulling gently toward her chest.Benedict didn't need a more direct hint; he rose up and lined his cock up with her soaking entrance, then plunged in. She cried out, and he grunted; he slid into her and she raised her hips; he leaned forward to kiss one breast, and she squeezed and lifted it toward his eager mouth. His lip
He had just turned to leave when he heard the door open behind him."Benedict, wait," Clara called soft but urgent.He stopped in his tracks, his brows drawing down slightly as he turned to face her. Clara stood in the doorway, the light from inside her apartment forming a golden glow around her. Her expression was unreadable, a mix of hesitation and something else—something more intense.Yes?" he asked, sounding unafraid even though he felt a riptide of unease.She took a step toward him and then held his gaze. Her green dress captured the faint breeze. There is something I need to tell you. she said, her voice trembling over the words.Benedict nodded, waiting, feeling his heart pound hard in his chest, eager for her words.But instead of saying anything, Clara stepped closer. Before he could fully register what she intended, she had reached up, resting hands lightly on his shoulders, and pressed her lips to his.The kiss was shocking, a collision of warmth and surprise. Benedict fr
Benedict adjusted his cuff links for the third time in front of the mirror. The navy-colored suit he had picked fit to perfection, making his broad shoulders and sharp frame a perfect outline. Tonight felt different; tonight was different for him because this wasn't just another business engagement, not for him, at least. He looked at his nightstand clock. He was running close to departure time.As Benedict walked into La Rosa Vinea, he came across the restaurant softly lit. Some soft melody of a piano could be heard along with the delicate tones intertwined with the low-hued murmur of conversation in the restaurant. The hostess there welcomed him politely and took him to the table by the window through which the bright glittering cityscape was in full display in all the evening splendor.He hadn't said much about tonight to Clara, except sending her a brief message:"7:30 PM. La Rosa Vinea. A small thank you for your hard work."He kept it professional but there was no getting away f