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chapter 14

Author: Sharon Dean
last update Last Updated: 2025-03-28 00:15:19

The morning was crisp as Ethan, Lily, Chloe, and Miles walked through the school gates together. They made their way through the morning crowd, rushing to class before the bell rang.

Lily and Chloe were deep in conversation about a newly released edition of their favorite magazine, their voices animated as they flipped through the pages.

“I still think the spring collection was better,” Chloe said, pointing at a page. “Red and green isn’t a summer color. It’s like going out as a Christmas tree. ”

“Come on. It’s not that bad. If you pair it with yellow boots instead of brown, it would be better. ”

Miles, walking beside them, glanced over at the magazine with mild interest. “Hmm, she really does look like a Christmas tree,” he mused.

“You both don’t know style.” Lily pouted.

“See,” Chloe smirked. “He gets it, truly the soul of an artist.”

Ethan walked slightly behind them with his hands in his pockets, mostly listening, though he threw in an occasional remark whenever they asked his op
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    Years had passed since she last saw Ethan. The seasons had changed, and so had she. The old Lily was bubbly and outgoing but now she was more subdued and hid her feelings behind a mask.College had come and gone in a blur of lectures, workshops, projects, deadlines, and exhibitions. She had thrown herself into her studies, already working with small jewelry brands and later the big names, even as an undergraduate—making a name for herself. She had even worked with several renowned designers, including Madame de Clare— her idol— not once but twice, and eventually taken her as a mentor.Chloe and Miles had been the only constants in her college life. Though they also had their own pursuits, they were always there for her. Before every school break, Chloe would take out a globe of the earth and spin it, paintbrush in hand. She went wherever the paintbrush pointed— Greece, Egypt, Iceland. Hopping from country to country, the stories from her travels were enough to write a book. She claime

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