Lilian POVI sank into the armchair in my studio, as if my body had been emptied of all energy. The space that once inspired me now felt suffocating and heavy, as if the walls were closing in on me. Everything I worked to build was in ruins, and why? Because the past, once again, had come back to haunt me, and this time with destructive force.Kate Nash, with that cruel, triumphant smile, had achieved exactly what she wanted—tarnishing my reputation and ending my dream of launching my new brand. The opening of ‘It’s Lilie’s’ was supposed to be a proud moment, the highlight of my career. But instead, it was a complete disaster. Rumors spread on the internet, poisonous articles, and lies manufactured to destroy everything I had built with so much effort. All because of that woman."Lilian, you need to stay calm," said my friend, who was sitting next to me, holding my hand firmly. "It's not the end of the world, we can turn things around. We can find new sponsors, redesign the strategy,
Lilian POVIt was Madam Christina. I couldn't believe it. The woman who was standing right there, in the hall of my studio, was nothing less than one of the biggest influences on the fashion world in our city, maybe even in the country. The kind of person who, with one word, could elevate a brand to luxury status or destroy it completely. For someone like her to come to the launch of a brand, it would normally be necessary to already be established in the market and have a huge influence. But here she was, at the launch of my brand, "It's Lilie's", something I thought was on the verge of collapse after the Kate debacle.I could barely process what was happening. The shock left me paralyzed for a moment, and I realized I was just standing there, mouth open, staring at her. The words escaped me, but I knew I needed to compose myself quickly. I swallowed hard and stood up, trying to maintain as much composure as possible."You are very welcome, Madame Christina," I managed to say, althou
Lilian POVThe opening of my studio was beyond any expectation. I could never have imagined that something that seemed destined for failure would turn into such a stunning and unforgettable night. Everything around me seemed magical, as if the universe had conspired so that, at the moment I needed it most, everything would shine as I had always dreamed.The environment was impeccable. The strategically positioned lights illuminated the corners of the studio, highlighting my creations hanging on delicate mannequins spread throughout the room. The pieces were displayed like works of art, and guests couldn't take their eyes off them. The colors, the fabrics, the carefully thought-out details—everything came together to create an elegant, sophisticated and, above all, inviting atmosphere. There was an air of expectation in the room, as if everyone was ready to be surprised.The smell of the flowers that decorated the tables mixed with the perfume of the guests. The arrangements were a com
Kate NashSitting on my luxurious leather sofa, with a glass of red wine in my hand, I watched the fiasco that was the launch of Lilian's clothing brand. The images on the TV screen showed flashes of the event, but I knew everything was falling apart. “If this woman thought she could compete with me, she was very mistaken”, I thought, taking a sip from the glass. “There’s no way she’s going to recover from this.”I invited some friends to celebrate Lilian's misfortune, and as soon as they entered, I started laughing sarcastically. “You won't believe what's happening to our dear Lilian! The failure of the time!” My friends surrounded me, their laughter and nasty comments filling the air. It was a true catharsis session. “She’ll never be able to do anything!” said one of them, adjusting her hair with an exaggerated movement. “The divorce was the icing on the cake for this woman!” The laughter was musical to my ears, each laugh was a symphony of Lilian's defeat.With each laugh, my ego
Lilian POVThe opening of my studio was a tremendous success. I never imagined the night would be so magical. The place was full of people laughing and having fun, and the energy was contagious. Even those guests I had called and didn't show up wouldn't have added as much shine to the event as those influential people who appeared out of nowhere. They made the inauguration the most talked-about event of the night, and, from the looks of it, it would be the most talked about topic of the month in a city as large and dynamic as Richmond.As I watched the excited faces around me, a mixture of relief and euphoria flooded my heart. Soft music filled the air, and the aroma of freshly opened champagne wafted around us. It was a celebration not only of a new phase in my life, but also of all the hard work I had put into every detail of that studio. The decor was perfect, with touches of elegance in every corner. The clothes hanging on the racks seemed to come to life under the bright lights,
Lilian POVThe drive home was strangely quiet. Jensen drove with a focused expression, while I stared out the window, watching the city lights flash by. The night still resonated in my mind: the laughter, the conversations and the contagious joy of the opening of my studio. However, inside the car, the atmosphere was different. The conversation fluctuated between small comments about how cold it was, a typical winter night in Richmond, and how much the kids probably missed us already.It was normal that, with the temperature dropping, I felt a little more reflective. But the tranquility didn't bother me. Instead, I reflected on what had happened at the inauguration. Jensen had been so present and protective, and this new side of him left me in awe. That man, who once believed that I didn't need a studio to be happy, was now a fundamental presence in making that dream come true.Once the conversation got a little more personal, I couldn't resist. "You know, Jensen, I really appreciated
Lilian POVWhen we arrived home, Jensen's grand mansion was lit up, the bright lights reflecting a welcoming atmosphere. The heat and laughter were coming from upstairs, and as we climbed the stairs, I noticed that the triplets were still awake. At just five years old, their energy seemed inexhaustible.“Mommy is here!” Rory, the oldest among them, shouted, running towards me with a sparkle in his eyes. The other two followed behind, laughing and jumping.“Please don’t send us to sleep! We have a surprise!” begged Ruby, the girl, her curly hair bouncing with every movement."Surprise?" I asked, arching an eyebrow and trying to hide my smile. “What do you have in mind?”They crept into the living room, and I followed them, full of curiosity. The nanny, who was in the corner, smiled at me, signaling that she had intentionally left the children awake. When I entered, a table was filled with small gifts: colorful drawings, a bouquet of roses made from paper, and even a sparkly tiara that
Lilian POVAfter such a special night with the kids, my mind was full of sweet memories, but my exhausted body was asking for rest. Even so, there was something stronger than tiredness: the desire to be close to Jensen. I didn't want to sleep alone that night. I wanted to feel the comfort of his arms around me, especially after a day full of emotions.Furthermore, I left the bathroom with my bathrobe on and my hair, still damp, falling over my shoulders. I walked with silent steps to Jensen's room. The hallway was dark and silent, except for the faint hum of the heaters and the muffled sound of the wind outside. A shiver ran through my body, but it quickly dissipated as I thought about how much I wanted to be close to him. I took a deep breath, hesitant for a brief second, and knocked lightly on the door, as if the gesture also needed to be careful, not just the intention.When Jensen opened it, that soft smile that always comforted me appeared on his face. His tired but warm eyes mad